A business owner reported paying approximately $7,000 after a caller posing as a DTE Energy representative directed them to make payments using barcodes at nearby convenience stores, according to Farmington Public Safety’s weekly shift report.
The fraud, reported Nov. 6 at the Farmington Public Safety Department front desk, is the only incident highlighted in the department’s report covering Nov. 1 through Nov. 8.
According to the report, the caller told the business owner that DTE was going to shut off power to their business for lack of payment. The caller then directed the owner to visit convenience stores and scan barcodes the caller had sent. The owner made multiple payments totaling roughly $7,000.
The report listed no suspect information and said the case had been forwarded to the detective bureau for follow-up.
How the scam works
DTE Energy warns on its fraud and scams page that scammers use caller ID spoofing to make calls appear to come from DTE. The company states it does not require prepaid debit cards, does not threaten to disconnect power within hours and does not collect payment at homes or businesses.
DTE advises customers who receive a suspicious call to hang up and call the company directly at 800-477-4747. The company also warns customers never to click links or scan barcodes from unfamiliar contacts.
Week by the numbers
The Nov. 1–8 report listed 184 total calls for service. It also listed 86 traffic stops, 18 medical calls, seven crashes and three fire calls.
The activity table recorded counts of two under warrants, one under felonies and one under driving with a suspended license. It listed zero under operating while intoxicated and operating under the influence of drugs.
The report did not explain those entries or specify whether the counts represented arrests or charges.
Residents who suspect they are targets of an energy scam can contact DTE at 800-477-4747 or report the incident to Farmington Public Safety at 248-474-4700.
