OPPD says phone scammers posing as company bill collectors have been very busy lately.
The utility says in just three hours Monday, it received 30 reports of phony bill collection calls. Those calls come in several variations, but usually callers will falsely tell customers they are overdue on bills and that they need to run and purchase a payment card of some sort, and call back with the numbers, or their service will be disconnected. OPPD insists that none of these individuals demanding payments or financial information work for the utility.
OPPD advises customers to never give out personal or financial information to strangers during an unsolicited phone call. Also if someone shows up at your door claiming to work for the utility, do not let them inside. Ask for identification because OPPD employees always carry identification. If they don't show ID, that's a sign it may be a scam artist. Never turn off security systems for any reason if a stranger asks. Any customer who receives such a request should immediately call police.
Customers with any questions about making a payment, or on their account, in general, should always call OPPD directly at 402-536-4131 or 1-877-536-4131.
