Stay Alert, Stay Safe

Scams are out there, and they're targeting you. Time to put your scam-awareness hat on.

Scam Alert

Scam Alert: Feb. 2024

We are all energy service customers and scammers use that to try to steal money.

Yellowstone County News, located in Huntley, Montana, got a call from “Michael Branch” from a phone number spoofing a 406 area code. Mr. “Branch” lied and said he was with NorthWestern Energy and needed to speak with the electric service account holder. 

Yellowstone County News receives electric service from Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, not NorthWestern Energy.

“When I asked him to identify who the account holder is, he hung up,” said Yellowstone County News Reporter Michael (his real name) Marino. 

NorthWestern Energy’s Customer Service Representatives received reports from Montanans across the state also being contacted by these scammers. 

The scammers threaten immediate disconnection of service and provide a phone number to make a payment. It is an attempt to steal your money.

Thank you, Yellowstone County News and other Montanans warning our neighbors, family and friends about this threat.

Your energy service provider will never threaten you. Service disconnections will not be a surprise and occur only after multiple notifications. 

Hang up, delete the email or slam the door if you suspect you’re being scammed.

Know these facts to avoid scams.

  • NorthWestern Energy sends multiple disconnection notices before shutting off service and offers several bill payment options. We never demand prepaid cards.
  • If we need to upgrade or replace a piece of equipment, NorthWestern will contact you ahead of time. If NorthWestern Energy needs to upgrade or replace a meter, the cost of the new meter is not charged to the individual customer.
  • Any over payments will be applied to your NorthWestern Energy account and used to cover future charges. When we refund a customer, we do so by mailing a check to the address on file.

Be aware of these common utility scams

Disconnection Deception

Scammers call threatening disconnection of your utility service, demanding immediate payment by prepaid cards.

 

Identification Attack

Rather than directing victims to call a 1-800 number, the scammers direct the caller to press 1 to collect more data in an effort to get personally identifiable information.

 

Power Restoration Charge

Scammers call offering to restore power more quickly for a fee in the aftermath of severe storms causing widespread power outages.

 

Number Spoofing

Scammers will spoof a callback number that closely resembles the utility’s number.

 

Overpayment Tactic

Scammers call claiming you have overpaid your utility bill, and you need to provide personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.

 

Door Knocking Impostor

Door-to-door impostors pose as utility workers to gain entry or access into unsuspecting victims’ homes.

 

Be vigilant about scams

A read phone with a post-it note reading "scam"

Be vigilant about scams

Many electric and natural gas customers throughout the country are being targeted by impostor utility scams each day. Scams can be in person, via phone, email or text. If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer, report online or call us.

Report a scam online

Beware of scam activity

A screen shot from a scam warning video shows a smiling Customer Service Representative in our call center

Beware of scam activity

Watch our video to learn more about being extra vigilant of scammers.

Learn more

Because utility customers are frequently the target of scam activity, utilities across the country have joined together to combat scammers. To learn more, visit Utilities United Against Scams at www.utilitiesunited.org.