Cedar Rapids Police Warn Of Scam

The Cedar Rapids Police Department has made us aware of another scam in the community and I wanted to pass it along.  Late last week, a Cedar Rapids business was contacted by a person claiming to be an Alliant Energy employee and that the business had an overdue utility bill that needed paid immediately. The suspect provided a claim number and told the business that they needed to go to a drug store and purchase a gift card to pay the overdue balance. The business was then to call the suspect back with the gift card number.

Fortunately, a drug store employee told the employee of the business to contact the Police Department and Alliant Energy, before calling the suspect back. Alliant Energy confirmed that they would not request payment in this manner.

If you get this type of call, don’t be pressured to pay immediately. Instead, hang up and contact your utility company.

Credit card information, account numbers and other personal information should never be provided in response to an unsolicited call.

The Iowa Better Business Bureau also can provide helpful information about scams.