Scammers are at it again, this time impersonating trusted utility providers to push fake solar rebate programs. The latest scheme making its rounds is the Government Solar Energy Rebate Scam, which claims that homeowners are eligible for thousands of dollars in government incentives for switching to solar energy.
At first glance, the message sounds legitimate. The caller references real energy companies such as Consumers Energy, DTE, Edison, and Atmos, and even claims that the offer is part of a new federal energy policy. But like most robocall scams, the promise of “free money” quickly leads to deception.
How the Scam Works
The call begins with a friendly voice that thanks you for being a loyal utility customer. You are then told that new government mandates are providing rebates of up to $2,000 to support local solar programs. The caller insists that it “will not cost you a penny” and urges you to press 1 to check your eligibility.
Here is an excerpt from one of the scam calls:
“Hi, this is Lewis. Thanks for being a Consumers Energy customer. Since new energy policy has passed, the local and federal government is giving homeowners with Consumers and DTE rebates of up to $2,000 to support Michigan’s solar program. It will not cost you a penny to switch to solar, and they will pay you to do it since it supports our new mandate. To see if your home qualifies, press 1.”
Once you engage, scammers may request personal details such as your address, date of birth, or utility account number. In some cases, they might attempt to schedule fake installations or collect “processing fees” for nonexistent programs.
Where These Calls Are Appearing
Reports show that this scam has spread across multiple states, with Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Nevada receiving the highest call volumes. Many of these calls originate from spoofed or blocked numbers to hide the caller’s true identity.
Examples of numbers linked to this scam include:
- 1-323-403-5090
- 1-725-238-6985
- 1-702-846-0427
- 1-702-487-7594
Why This Scam Is So Effective
This particular scam works because it blends two common tactics: government impersonation and utility spoofing. By combining a believable incentive with the authority of a known company, scammers lower their victims’ guard. The mention of a “mandate” or “rebate” creates a sense of urgency that encourages quick action before the offer “expires.”
Additionally, energy rebates are a real concept, which makes the scam appear credible. Consumers who have heard about solar incentive programs may assume the call is legitimate.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a call about a rebate or energy credit, take these precautions:
- Do not press 1 or engage with the caller. Interaction confirms your number is active and may increase spam calls.
- Hang up and contact your utility directly. Use the customer service number on your bill or the company’s official website.
- Never share personal or billing information unless you initiated the call.
- Use a robocall blocker such as YouMail to automatically identify and stop fraudulent calls before they reach you.
- Report suspicious numbers to help others stay safe.
Stay Informed and Stay Protected
Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to sound convincing. They will continue to use familiar names, urgent language, and financial incentives to trick people into revealing sensitive data. Awareness is your best defense.
YouMail’s Robocall Index tracks scam trends across the United States, helping users stay ahead of the latest threats. You can search suspicious numbers on the YouMail Directory to confirm whether others have reported similar activity.
Check your number at https://directory.youmail.com and visit https://robocallindex.com for real-time updates on the newest scam campaigns.
