Authorities are warning people about the increasing number of utility scam calls. Residents are reporting calls regarding utility billing recently. The number on caller ID appears as a legitimate Kansas-based, government number when searched online — though convincing at first glance, this is not an official number or service of the state of Kansas or any city in Kansas!
Utility officials would like to remind residents that utility staff will never call with an offer to discount utility bills because of current or on-time payment status. In addition, it is not utility department’s policy to call to collect past-due utility bills, and will never call to collect a payment to avoid shut-off of utility services. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be working on behalf of your city, regarding utility billing, it’s a scam, please hang up the phone and do not provide them with any personal information. To track down these fraud attempts, you are urged to call the police and your local utility department.
