UPPCO warns customers of scammers following an incident ending in murder downstate

UPPCO warns customers of a scammers increasing their presence in the state. Earlier this week UPPCO issued a warning to residents in Oakland County after two men posing as utility workers entered a 72 year old man’s home under the guise of conducting an investigation of a gas leak. The man was killed and his wife were attacked, the man was killed in the incident. Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the incident.

Following the incident the utility company seeks to remind customers across the state that utility providers require appointments to conduct any work at a residence or business.

UPPCO official Dan Freeborn says that UPPCO will never make an unannounced visit. Although infrequent, visits are always pre-arranged and the company does not employ bullying tactics when engaging with customers, will not collect payments in person, or ask for bank account or credit card information by phone. UPPCO reminds customers that legitimate utility workers will never coerce residents into allowing them inside their homes. Freeborn adds that if a customer doubts a person works with a utility, to contact the UPPCO customer service line and ask to view the representative’s company ID. Anyone approached by someone impersonating a utility representative should report the incident to local law enforcement or Michigan State Police.