Energy Fraud & Scams

At Your Door

We often hear heartbreaking stories of scammers gaining entry into customers’ homes by pretending to be DTE employees. Scammers typically target vulnerable homeowners such as senior citizens, new homeowners or individuals who live by themselves.

Before DTE makes a routine visit to your home, we will typically contact you in advance through direct mailers, door hangers, or through phone calls, texts or emails if we have this contact information on file for you. Sometimes our crews will have maintenance projects that must be completed. They may use slots of time in between scheduled projects to complete remaining work, which would mean they could show up to a customer's home before DTE has had a chance to notify the customer ahead of time.

It is not common that a DTE employee would need to enter your home, but it does happen. We may need to check your meter if it is indoors, or do an inspection of pipes, or relight appliances if there was an interruption in gas service. But whenever possible, we will try to make you aware of any work needing to be done at your home, and if possible, talk to you to schedule time for the work to be completed.  

No matter what, we want you to feel safe when DTE or any utility worker visits your home. Prior to allowing a person claiming to work for DTE in your home or on your property, you should keep the following things in mind:

• Know your electric and gas provider. Just because DTE supplies your electricity,  does not mean they supply your gas, and vice versa. 
• All DTE Electric and Gas employees and most contractors carry identification badges and are required to show their badge when asked. 
• Customers should ask the employee why they are there and, if necessary, call (800) 477-4747 to confirm before allowing entry or access to their property. If the work cannot be verified, do not allow access. Keep your door locked while you are making the call, and only speak through a locked screen door if it’s necessary to talk to the person.
• If an employee/contractor does not present their badge or doesn’t have one, the customer should refuse service, not allow entry into their home and call (800) 477-4747 to verify whether or not DTE is scheduled to be on site or at their home. We understand our customers’ sensitivities and want you to feel as safe as possible.
• If the person becomes agitated or acts in a strange manner, call 911 immediately.
• Do not allow people into your home who claim to offer a DTE Electric or DTE Gas refund. Our employees will never deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers’ homes. We will never come to your home and ask to see your bill; this could be a gas choice provider or a DTE impersonator.
• We do not collect cash or accept bill payments at customers’ homes or businesses.
• Do not pay for tree-trimming work by individuals claiming to be from DTE Electric, DTE Gas or a DTE contractor. We do not charge for line clearance work.
• DTE does not sell solar panels or any solar panel equipment. If a person comes to your home or reaches out to you regarding solar panel sales or installation, know that they are not associated with DTE.

Phone Calls

Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make a call appear to originate from DTE.

• Always ask for identification by asking the person to provide your account number or amount of your latest bill. This is information only you and DTE know.
• If you suspect the call may be fraudulent, hang up and call us toll-free at (800) 477-4747. Ask to be connected to a customer service representative who can confirm the status of your account and make appropriate arrangements for payment, if needed.
• If the caller demands an immediate payment, they are an imposter. If the caller demands you obtain a prepaid debit card, they are an imposter. Hang up and report the incident to local police or DTE immediately.