March 28, 2024

Scam Alert: Phone scam circulating throughout Iowa

DES MOINES — MidAmerican Energy Company is warning the public of a phone scam targeting energy customers in Iowa.

Today, nearly 40 MidAmerican Energy customers reported receiving a call from someone claiming to work for MidAmerican Energy and threatening to disconnect service in exchange for payment. The scams are widespread, targeting customers in the areas of Davenport, Sioux City, Des Moines, Waterloo, Fort Dodge and Oskaloosa.

The scam typically works like this: the scammer tells the potential victim that they owe money and that if they don’t immediately pay, their service will be disconnected. Often, they require that the person pay with a pre-paid debit card, sometimes referred to as a Green Dot card. This is a red flag: MidAmerican Energy does not accept prepaid (Green Dot) cards as a way to pay your bill.

The scammers are persistent and use sophisticated methods to trick customers, including Caller ID technology and a phone response system that mimics MidAmerican Energy’s, making the call appear as if it is coming from the company when it is not.

If you get a suspicious call, hang up and call your local police and MidAmerican Energy at 1-888-427-5632.

Three tips to recognize
a scam call

1. The caller is threatening immediate disconnection. Sometimes the caller will claim a crew is already en route to the business to disconnect service. Customers should hang up immediately and call MidAmerican Energy at 1-888-427-5632. MidAmerican Energy makes several attempts to contact customers regarding overdue bills; disconnection is a last resort, not a first step in the process.

2. The caller insists on a prepaid debit card (often a Green Dot card) as the only acceptable form of payment. MidAmerican Energy does not accept prepaid debit (Green Dot) cards as a form of payment; a company customer service representative can go over payment options with you.

3. The caller asks for credit card numbers, account numbers, balances or other personal information. MidAmerican Energy will not ask you for this information over the phone. Never give out financial or personal information.