There have been reports in our area that people and businesses are receiving phone calls, purportedly from a utility company, advising them they are past due and unless payment is made immediately, their service will be disconnected, usually within a very short time-frame. In some cases, the calls may appear (falsely) on caller ID as coming from the utility company.
If you receive a similar call (or an email), do not provide any personal or bank information – it is probably a scam. Likewise, if someone comes to your home or business claiming to be from a utility company and demanding payment, do make a payment or provide any information.
Most utility companies send notices in the mail if there is a past-due situation – they do not contact customers by phone and they do not threaten immediate disconnection.
If in doubt, look up the number and call the utility company directly. Protect yourself against fraud.
