There’s a troubling trend of fake Dish TV calls making its way across Idaho. Since Sept. 1, your Better Business Bureau has received six local reports to BBB Scam Tracker from consumers who say they received a fake call from Dish Network.

Some of the complaints report the caller informed them they needed to pay for an upgrade to their system. Others state the caller was phishing for personal information. While these types of calls vary, many times the caller offers a reduced price for an upgrade or hook-up in order to entice consumers.

The scam reports came in from the areas of Blackfoot, Nampa, Middleton, and Parma.

One consumer reported the caller told them they needed to pay $200 to upgrade immediately or they would be unable to broadcast. After giving away some of their information, they hung up on the scammer and called Dish Network to confirm the call. The company told them it was not associated with their company and had them change their login information to their account.

BBB offers the following tips to help spot these types of scam:

Keep the following in mind:

• Prepaid debit cards and wire transfers are a red flag. If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card or wire transfer, this is a huge warning sign. Your utility company will accept a check or credit card. They may also ask you to pay with gift card. A reputable company will never request this as a form of payment.

• Pressure to pay immediately. Scammers will press for immediate payment and may try to intimidate you into giving them your personal and banking information.

• Watch out for door-to-door scammers. While these reports were scam calls, it is not uncommon for a fake Dish Network employee to show up at your door.

Tips for protecting Yourself Against This Scam:

• Call customer service. If you feel pressured for immediate action by a caller, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real representative. Never give your personal or banking information to an unverified or unsolicited caller.


• Never allow anyone into your home unless you have scheduled an appointment or reported a problem. Also, ask employees for proper identification before letting them enter.


To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker. To learn how to protect yourself from other scams, visit BBB.org/ScamTips.

Jeremy Johnson is the Marketplace Manager for the Better Business Bureau Northwest and Pacific.