The Heartbleed Bug is making most of us change passwords and re-evaluate our online business, but it’s an old-fashioned “scam” on the phone that may be bilking Wright County area businesses out of a few heart-earned bucks.
According to a release from the Wright County Sheriff’s Department issued Tuesday morning, a phone scam is targeting local businesses.
According to the WSCO:
“This scam has recently been reported in the Monticello and Albertville/St. Michael areas and usually targets businesses. The scam is perpetrated over the phone, usually with an un-traceable phone number (an 866 number). 
The caller tells the business owner that they are with Xcel Energy and that their power will be shut off if they do not send money immediately. Sometimes the caller requests a credit card number, checking account numbers or a debit card number. The caller may also request the business owner go purchase a pre-paid debit card, such as a green dot card from Walmart, and will tell the business owner if they give them the numbers off of the cards for payment.
This is not how Xcel Energy runs their business and there is a message on the Xcel Energy Website about this scam. If you receive a call such as this one do not give out any of your financial information over the phone. Call Xcel Energy if you are a customer and if you have questions about your account.
If you feel you have been a victim of this type of scam please call the Wright County Sheriff’s Office at 763-682-1162.”