WPS WARNS RESIDENTS SCAM CALLS ON THE RISE, IF SUSPICIOUS “HANG UP!”

Wisconsin Public Service and the Merrill Police Department are warning customers of a recent surge in scam calls.

As winter approaches, an aggressive scam campaign has been threatening WPS customers throughout Northern Wisconsin with disconnection if they do not make an immediate payment. The scammers also ask for account and banking information. WPS officials note that these con artists often prey on fear to move customers to act quickly with the onset of colder temperatures, and unfortunately some customers have agreed to pay costing thousands of dollars. Red flags to watch for when receiving these calls are immediate shutoff threats, demands for immediate payment, and demands for unusual and specific payment like crypto, pre-paid cards, or money transfer apps.

WPS reminds customers that when you are suspicious of a call, ‘hang up, it’s not rude – it’s safe.’