CLFP issues fraud advisory

Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power received a report last week of a scam involving unknown parties impersonating Cheyenne Light personnel and demanding money. 

According to the report, the fraudulent caller directed the business customer to pay a specified amount by purchasing a pre-paid visa card or their electricity would be disconnected. The caller then instructed that they would pick up the cash card at the customer’s home.

“Our residential, business and commercial customers need to be mindful of this fraud and know that Cheyenne Light will never ask a customer to pay their bill this way,” said Mark Stege, vice president of operations, Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power. “Additionally, a company employee engaged in official business would be driving a company-logoed vehicle and would wear a company-issued photo-identification badge.”

The Cheyenne Police Department has already been notified of this scam. 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.

If you are suspicious of someone claiming to represent a utility, contact your utility provider using the phone number on your monthly bill or the utility’s website. Your utility can confirm the legitimacy of the claim and can also confirm bill payments, service work, or a service call to any address. It’s important to know that scammers can cause caller-ID displays to mimic legitimate companies, making it appear as if the call is coming from the utility.

Anyone with concerns or questions about Cheyenne Light employees should call Cheyenne Light at 866-264-8003.

Tips for consumers:

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

• If someone calls claiming they represent your local utility provider and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call the customer service number on your utility bill.  Do not give in to a high-pressure call seeking personal information.

• Never allow anyone into your home for an unannounced visit to check your electrical wiring, cable or phone lines, natural gas pipes, or your appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or are aware of a confirmed problem. Anytime a utility employee arrives at your door, require the employee to produce proper identification, and do not hesitate to confirm the visit with the utility company via a phone call before permitting any access to your property.

• Cheyenne Light employees carry company-issued photo identification at all times and would be happy to have you contact our customer service number listed to verify their identity.