WICHITA, KS — July 30, 2019 — Black Hills Energy received a confirmed report this morning of a scam involving unknown parties impersonating Black Hills Energy personnel and demanding money.

“Individuals claiming ties to the utility may threaten to disconnect service if they are not paid immediately and must provide a pre-paid cash card, personal banking or credit card information,”

“Individuals claiming ties to the utility may threaten to disconnect service if they are not paid immediately and must provide a pre-paid cash card, personal banking or credit card information,” said Jerry Watkins, general manager of operations for Black Hills Energy in Kansas. “If your account is at risk of service disconnection or you’re due a refund, we will issue advance written notices by mail.”

Black Hills Energy advises customers with concerns to call our service associates at 1-888-890-5554 to verify the legitimacy of requests for payment history and amounts due. Payment options and account access also are available at blackhillsenergy.com.

“Beware, as perpetrators are becoming more sophisticated, manipulating caller ID or leaving a call-back number with a recording that mimics a utility’s phone system message and options,”

“Beware, as perpetrators are becoming more sophisticated, manipulating caller ID or leaving a call-back number with a recording that mimics a utility’s phone system message and options,” Watkins added. “Customers need to be mindful of this fraud and also know that Black Hills Energy employees will never demand payment in-person.”

Additionally, Black Hills Energy urges customers with concerns about the identity of someone claiming to represent the company to call Black Hills Energy’s 24-hour emergency line at 800-694-8989 to verify employment. A company employee engaged in official business would be driving a company-logoed vehicle and would wear a company-issued photo-identification badge.

Any customer who suspects fraud should immediately contact local law enforcement. While these scams often start with different stories and involve various utility providers, the way to avoid falling victim are usually the same.

Additional tips:

• Don’t give in to a high-pressure call seeking personal information – if someone calls claiming to represent your local utility and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call the customer service number on your utility bill.

• To verify whether an employee was dispatched to your location, call your utility using the number on your bill or blackhillsenergy.com. Black Hills Energy employees wear shirts with a Black Hills logo, carry a company-issued photo ID and drive logoed vehicles. Employees will gladly wait outside while you call the company to verify their identity.

• Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers or bank account information to anyone during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit.