Westar Energy is reminding customers to be on the alert for fraudulent callers claiming to be company employees. Several customers have contacted their Customer Relations Center after receiving suspicious calls.
In most cases, the caller claims to be a customer service representative and tries to get the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check bounced or he or she has a past-due bill. In some cases, the caller says that the customer’s meter is defective and their home may catch fire. He or she says that a fee must be paid for repairs and asks the customer to obtain a prepaid money card.
Legitimate calls from Westar Energy should show 800-383-1183 and say Westar Energy on your caller ID. The agent should always be able to provide his or her name and extension if requested. For past-due accounts, calls from Westar Energy requesting payment are never made the same day as the disconnection. The customer should always have the opportunity to call Westar Energy back and verify the information.
If you receive a call you think is suspicious, hang up and call the Westar Energy Customer Relations Center at 1-800-383-1183. You can also report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.