UPPER MICHIGAN, Mich. (WLUC) – Michigan utility companies are reminding customers to watch for criminals pretending to be workers.
This warning comes after two people dressed as DTE Energy workers knocked on a man’s door claiming to investigate a gas leak in Oakland County. The 72-year-old homeowner was killed and his wife was tied up.
Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps says it doesn’t hurt to double-check who’s at the door.
“If you’re a homeowner and somebody shows up on your door if you have any doubt whatsoever, you can say no, you can call your utility provider,” Scripps said. “Make sure that the people on your doorstep are there with legitimate purposes and are who they say they are.”
SEMCO Energy Spokesperson Tim Lubbers says if a SEMCO Energy contractor requests access to a home, it should have been planned ahead of time.
“If you didn’t call for a visit, for example, a gas leak, or you had some other concern about your facility and there was no issue going on in your neighborhood, an outage or something like that,” Lubbers said. “If you weren’t expecting a visit, customers should feel free to call.”
Ring camera video shows the two people were wearing attire that would make some think they were utility employees. However, UPPCO Spokesperson Dan Freeborn says there are more things customers can look for.
“Number 1 being the logos on our vehicle and they can always produce a corporate ID as well,” Freeborn said. “They can always be confident in asking somebody that’s claiming to be an UPPCO employee to produce that company ID.”
Lubbers and Freeborn say if someone is trying to bully their way inside a home, the homeowner should close and lock their door and call the utility company or local law enforcement.
UPPCO Customer Service Line: 906-449-2013
SEMCO Energy Customer Service Line: 800-624-2019
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