PORT HURON, MI — SEMCO Energy Gas Company is warning consumers to be aware of possible scamming attempts. In a press release, the Port Huron, MI based utility reports it is receiving reports from customers of being scammed by false contact information online.

The release states, “Please be cautious of where you source company phone numbers and wesite links before sharing your gas account number and banking information.”

To avoid scamming attempts, SEMCO offers some suggestions:

• Only use the 800 number on your SEMCO bill and do not blindly trust caller ID. “Scammers post false information online and fake their caller ID number,” SEMCO said.

• To verify a suspicious call, hang up and call SEMCO directly at 800-624-2019

• Report a suspicious call to SEMCO and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) at 800-292-9555

• If you feel threatened, reach out to local law enforcement by dialing 911

Also, SEMCO advises Upper Peninsula customers that during periods of heavy snow and when clearing your roof of snow, customers should remember to keep meters clear of snow or ice. There are ways to help protect gas meter equipment as well as gas appliances to avoid a potentially hazardous situation or service disruption. SEMCO advises customers to not allow snow or ice to cover your natural gas meter or the pressure regulator or block your appliance exhaust vents. Use caution when shoveling snow, plowing or snow blowing to avoid piling snow against the natural gas meter, regulator or appliance vents. Remove soft snow build-up gently, using only a broom or your hand rather than a shovel that could damage the meter. And finally do not try to remove ice or frozen snow from the natural gas meter pressure regulator or piping. If you find your meter or pressure regulator covered in ice or frozen snow, do not attempt to remove the ice or use de-icer.

SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company is a regulated public utility that delivers natural gas to approximately 300,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in service territories in the southern half of the state’s Lower Peninsula and portions of Houghton, Baraga, Gogebic, Ontonagon, Marquette, Schoolcraft, Luce and Mackinac counties in the U.P.