Clawson police are digging into a string of reports about someone pretending to be from DTE Energy, either by phone or at residents’ front doors, and trying to reel people in. The small Oakland County city saw several suspicious knocks and calls this week, and while no suspects have been named and no arrests announced, officers are telling neighbors to stay sharp.
The department launched the probe after neighbors started comparing notes and a brief TV segment put the issue on law enforcement’s radar, according to CBS News Detroit. That early coverage offered only a short statement from police, with no victim names and no description of whoever might be behind the impersonations.
One Clawson resident told WXYZ she picked up a call from what looked like a local number and was told her DTE bill was overdue and her power would be cut in minutes. After she followed the automated prompt, a live caller who already knew her name tried to move the conversation along. A DTE representative told WXYZ that scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make their numbers look legit, and stressed that the utility does not threaten customers or try to bully them into instant payment.
Impersonators Linked To A Deadly Home Invasion
The scam might sound like a nuisance, but the same tactic has turned deadly in metro Detroit. Two men who pretended to be DTE workers were convicted in the October 2024 killing of a Rochester Hills man after they talked their way inside by claiming they needed to check a gas leak, FOX 2 Detroit reported. The case has become a go-to example for why police and utility officials keep hammering the message to verify credentials before anyone crosses your threshold.
How To Spot A Scam And What To Do
There are a few classic red flags. Be wary of callers who demand immediate payment, insist on odd methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency or Zelle, or claim your service will be cut off within minutes if you do not pay up. Residents should ask in-person visitors to show an official employee ID badge, call DTE’s published customer service number to verify any scheduled visit, and refuse to hand over money or personal details to anyone who just shows up, WXYZ noted. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with other attorneys general, has pressed the Federal Trade Commission to crack down harder on impersonation scams, the station reported.
If you think someone targeted you, police say you should let Clawson authorities and DTE know so the utility can confirm whether the contact was legitimate and warn other customers, according to CBS News Detroit. Call 911 if a person at your door seems threatening or refuses to leave. In less urgent situations, use the police department’s nonemergency line and DTE’s customer service number to check the caller’s or visitor’s credentials and your account status before you do anything else.
