COLUMBUS, Neb. (KMTV) — Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is working to install updated digital meters around the state and scammers are trying to take advantage of customers by threatening to shut off their power.
Wednesday, there were several reports of scammers calling both NPPD customers and customers of other public power districts across Nebraska trying to extort money.
The scammers pose as an NPPD representative and tell customers they'll shut off their power if they don't pay hundreds of dollars for an updated meter, according to NPPD.
Scammers state the bill must be paid immediately or the power will be shut off. They will also recommend several methods of payment and sometimes their caller ID is falsified so it looks like it's from the utility company.
“NPPD is currently in the process of installing digital meters in several communities across the state, and there is no charge to the customer when this work is done,” says NPPD Vice-President and General Manager of Retail Tim Arlt. “Anyone who receives such a call should not let their guard down and should contact our team and law enforcement immediately. Protecting our customers is a top priority.”
To help customers be wary of such scams, NPPD offers the following tips and suggestions:
- NPPD, as a business practice, does not call to ask customers for a credit card number.
- NPPD does not demand payment with a pre-paid card.
- Any customer receiving such a call should not attempt to make payment over the phone using a credit or debit card.
- Write down the call back number or consider asking where the caller is located.
- Contact law enforcement.
- Let NPPD’s Centralized Customer Care Center at 1-877-ASK-NPPD (877-275-6773) know about the call.
- If served electrically by a rural public power district or municipality, customers should contact that organization before providing any type of payment.
