Xcel warns customers of phone scam

Xcel Energy representatives on Wednesday alerted area residents to a scam reportedly being perpetrated by phone.

A press release issued by Xcel noted “several reports from our New Mexico service area of customers receiving calls from scammers representing themselves as Xcel Energy customer agents. … The scammers are threatening disconnection of service if the customer doesn’t provide a credit or debit card payment over the phone.”

The press release reminds Xcel customers that if they fall behind on payments, they will “receive a disconnect notice in the mail first” and that the company provides “several options for making payments.”

Customers receiving suspicious calls are encouraged to hang up and contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999 to verify the status of their accounts.