(Des Moines, Iowa) Phone scammers are apparently working over-time right now, targeting Iowa retailers during these busy hours leading up to Christmas.
Adam Jacoby of MidAmerican Energy in Des Moines tells WHO Radio News they've heard from retail customers all over the state, reporting calls, in which someone demands payment with a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
Jacoby says the scammers have even "spoofed" the utility's phone number to try and be more convincing.
Alliant Energy's also reporting an uptick in such complaints.
The utilities are reminding their customers they do not demand credit card information, and do not accept payments with a prepaid debit card.
Jacoby says they've even heard scammers ask for I-Tunes or other gift cards as payment. He says customers should always "know what you owe," so you can recognize a scam.
The utilities ask their customers, both businesses and residential to "slam the scam" -hang up on such calls, report them to law enforcement and notify the utility company as well.
The Iowa Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division has a hotline with additional recorded information: 515-725-5387