New tool to fight scammers, recover money

We Energies, a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Corporate Community Partner, and the BBB Serving Wisconsin want consumers to be aware of a new tool to fight the “Green Dot” scam. Victims can get their money refunded, if they act quickly.

The company that issues prepaid Green Dot credit cards, MoneyPak, has launched a new online tool that allows purchasers to request a refund. If the scammer hasn’t already cashed the card, customers may be able to get their money back. For more information, visit moneypak.com.

Don't comply with callers asking for energy bill 
payments using a Green Dot prepaid debit card.

Although reports of the Green Dot scam have decreased at our company, we still receive scattered complaints. Scammers impersonate our employees and threaten disconnection unless the customer makes an immediate payment with a prepaid credit card. We do not solicit payments in this manner. Customers who receive suspicious calls should hang up and call us at 800-242-9137 to check the status of their account.

BBB regularly receives complaints nationwide about the Green Dot scam. Aside from utility customers, scammers also target satellite TV customers and other pre-pay products and services. Green Dot also has been used in lottery and sweepstakes scams, computer repair scams, job scams and more. BBB suggests consumers should:

• Refuse offers that request payment via prepaid card. 
• Never disclose their card number to someone they don’t know. 
• Avoid websites or offers requesting payment specifically via Green Dot. 
• Never use a Green Dot card to pay taxes or claim “winnings.” 
• Remember to check companies at bbb.org.