LOCAL UTILITY WARNS CUSTOMERS OF SCAM ATTEMPTS

Black Hills Energy warns customers of scam attempts.

Black Hills Energy has received customer reports of late bill payment scams with customers being told that they are past due on their account, and without immediate payment, their service will be disconnected.

“Individuals claiming ties to the utility may threaten to disconnect service if they are not paid immediately or
may say you’ve overpaid and must provide personal bank account or credit card information for a refund,” said
Shirley Welte, vice president of Black Hills Energy’s Wyoming electric and natural gas utilities. “If your
account is at risk of service disconnection or you’re due a refund, we will issue advance written notices by
mail.”

“Beware, as perpetrators are becoming more sophisticated, manipulating caller ID or leaving a call-back
number with a recording that mimics a utility’s phone system message and options,” said Welte.
We advise customers with concerns to call our service associates at 1-888- 890-5554 to verify the legitimacy of
requests for payment history, amounts due or whether an employee was dispatched to your location. Payment
options and account access are also available at blackhillsenergy.com.
Additionally, Black Hills Energy urges customers with concerns about the identity of someone claiming to
represent the company to call Black Hills Energy’s 24-hour emergency line at 800-694- 8989 to verify
employment. Calling local law enforcement is also an option.

Additional tips:

• Don’t give in to a high-pressure call seeking personal information – if someone calls claiming to
  represent your local utility and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and
  call the customer service number on your utility bill.
• To verify whether an employee was dispatched to your location, call your utility using the number on
  your bill or the company’s website. Black Hills Energy employees wear shirts with a Black Hills logo,
  carry a company-issued photo ID and drive logoed vehicles. Employees will gladly wait outside while
  you call the company to verify their identity.
• Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers or bank account information to anyone
  during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit.

Media Contact:
Laurie Farkas (Cheyenne) 307-778- 2121
Norm Long (Casper) 307-261- 3254
24-Hour Media Assistance 888-242- 3969