Officials in Gering and Scottsbluff are reminding the public that phone calls about delinquent electricity bills and threats to disconnect service are common scams.
The City of Gering is advising residents that there have been numerous reports of citizens receiving phone calls from what appears to be a cell phone number with a message that they have not paid their electric bill and that their service will be disconnected.
City officials say the city does not contact customers by phone if their utility bill hasn’t been paid, but will send a late notice by mail only after the 10th of the month.
They encourage anyone who receives this type of call to disregard it, and not to pay anything over the phone.
Likewise, Scottsbluff Police say the same types of scam calls are received periodically by Scottsbluff customers of Nebraska Public Power District.
Capt. Brian Wasson says NPPD does not operate in that way, and will communicate by mail whenever there may be a bill-related service issue.
