Portage, MI – Residents in Portage are being warned today after police received multiple reports of individuals impersonating “Paymentus,” the third-party platform used for official City of Portage payments. The scammers are reportedly calling, emailing, and leaving voicemails asking for residents’ City of Portage account numbers or requesting immediate payment.
According to the Portage Department of Public Safety, none of these contacts are legitimate. Officials say the fraud attempts appear to be targeting utility customers and others who may assume the request is part of a routine billing verification. Police noted that the messages often appear urgent or time-sensitive, a tactic commonly used in financial scams.
Authorities are urging residents to ignore any unexpected communication requesting account information or payments on behalf of the city. If a call, text, or email seems suspicious, police advise hanging up immediately and avoiding clicking any links. The city confirmed that Paymentus does not ask customers for account numbers or private details through unsolicited outreach.
According to police, anyone who believes they may have been targeted or shared information should contact the Portage Department of Public Safety – Police Division at 269-329-4567. Officials also recommend residents monitor their financial accounts for unusual activity and report any potential fraud as quickly as possible.
The department says it will continue monitoring the situation and encourages the public to share this warning with neighbors, especially older adults who are often targeted in financial scams.
Residents can verify legitimate billing information directly through the City of Portage website or by calling city offices during normal business hours.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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