Telephone credit card scam targets Xcel customers

Updated: July 31, 2012 - 7:49 PM

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Xcel Energy Inc. warned Tuesday that a new scam is targeting customers in the Minnesota region.

Callers claiming to represent Xcel tell customers that their electric service is to be disconnected, the Minneapolis-based utility said.

Customers are told they need to purchase a prepaid Green Dot Visa card at a store, then to call a special number with the card information, Xcel said. The scam artists remove money from the card, and may try to reregister it in another name, Xcel said.

The targets of the scam often are Hispanic, and the callers have spoken in Spanish, Xcel said. Anyone who receives such a call should contact Xcel at 1-800-895-4999.

DAVID SHAFFER