DTE Energy Investigation Leads to Arrest in Bill Collection Scam
January 10 2007 - 10:15AM
PR Newswire (US)
DETROIT, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A DTE Energy investigation into a
scam that targeted small business owners has led to an arrest and
the arraignment of a Detroit man. The man, a DTE Energy employee,
was arraigned in 36th District Court in Detroit on six counts of
obtaining money under false pretenses and six counts of identity
theft, each a five-year felony, in connection with a scam that
bilked small business owners of thousands of dollars. Bond was set
at $1.5 million, and as of yesterday the employee remained in
police custody. "While there have been incidents in the past in
which our customers have been victimized by utility impostors, we
are particularly troubled that this scheme appears to involve a DTE
Energy employee," said Michael Lynch, DTE Energy chief security
officer. "We are cooperating with authorities in this case, and
will do everything possible to see that any individual who has
scammed our customers is prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
DTE Energy does not collect money from customers at their homes or
businesses for any reason. All business transactions pertaining to
bill payments with the company are done either by phone, mail,
online, at customer offices or with authorized pay agents. DTE
Energy field employees carry photo identification badges that
identify them as DTE Energy employees. Customers who are not sure
about an employee's identification, or who want to verify the
nature of the work to be done at their homes, should call DTE
Energy at (800) 477-4747. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy
commended the Detroit Police Department for helping to solve the
case. "While DTE Energy does not collect money in the field,"
Worthy said, "it is important for people when approached by others
to pay a bill to demand picture ID that has the name and address of
the company he or she claims to represent. As a consumer, you
should never be afraid to call the company to confirm what a person
is telling you." DATASOURCE: DTE Energy CONTACT: Scott Simons,
+1-313-235-8808, or Lorie N. Kessler, +1-313-235-8807, both of DTE
Energy Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/
Copyright