Police warn of callers trying to scam businesses

Scammers say business is behind on utility payments, might have electricity cut off

MADISON, Wis. — Madison police are warning businesses of scammers calling and trying to convince employees that they are behind on utility payments and in danger of having their electricity disconnected, according to a release.

On Thursday, a caller persuaded an employee at MacTaggart’s Market and Deli at 230 W. Lakelawn Place to load $1,500 onto Green Dot cards, officials said. The employee then gave the cards’ security numbers to the caller.

The caller was using the phone number 866-978-8070, according to the release. That same number was given to an employee at Capital Auto Protection at 2914 Syene Road on June 3.

The employee was told he was behind in payments to MG&E, but he knew that was not true so he did not send any money, police said.

On the same day, a man called the GrandStay Residential Suites at 5317 High Crossing Blvd. claiming to be from Alliant Energy, according to the release. The caller told an employee they had to pay $1,500 to avoid having power cut off, but the employee figured out it was a scam before sending money.