Xcel encourages customers to be aware of scammers

If you are asked to prepay money upfront for services with Xcel Energy – it’s a scam. The utility says it has been made aware that there are bogus numbers online that link callers to scammers and not Xcel.

In some cases the customers are asked for personal information.

Xcel says they do not charge customers upfront and any service changes will appear on a customer’s next bill.

When customers call the fraudulent number, they are asked to pay money upfront to complete their transaction and may also collect customer information including Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. Customers may not initially notice they have been scammed because in some cases the scammers also contact Xcel Energy and pose as the customer, using the customer’s information to start the new service.

Customers should then call Xcel Energy Customer Service at 1-800-895-4999 or our Business Solutions Center at 1-800-481-4700 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) to report the experience.