Local treasurer warns about a scam that promises payment for utility bills

WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) - At least ten people who live in Warren have fallen for a scam that promises payment for utility bills in exchange for social security numbers and other personal information.

The city treasurer says she sent letters to the victims telling them their water bill payments bounced. Treasurer Carolyn Moceri has put a warning about the scam on the city website.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has also put out a warning and so has the Better Business Bureau, but still people are falling for it.

Moceri says, "President Obama is not paying for utility bills and there is no federal program paying them either, it is a scam." 

She wants her residents and people in every city to know it and not fall for it.

One resident, Bonnie Burk, says it's wishful thinking on the part of some people but she wouldn't fall for it.

"I am not very trusting, especially if someone wants to give me something free," she says.

No one seems to know where this started or who is behind it, but Moceri says whoever is doing it is using the social media to reach out to people, to victims.

Don't become a victim she says. The mayor of Warren tells us though if you are a victim, the $30 late fee will be waived when you find out you have to pay your bill.