Omaha Public Power District has recently received a report from a customer that a caller, claiming to be a utility employee, threatened to disconnect power unless she made a payment.
This scam is not new, but the way the caller wanted to collect payment is. He asked the customer to meet up, in person, at an east Omaha parking lot. Thankfully, she did not go. She did the right thing and called OPPD directly to let us know.
While this may have been an isolated incident, the utility wants to warn customers to stay safe. Should they receive a call like this, hang up and call OPPD.
Reporting incidents is helpful as local and regional public power utilities are working together to raise awareness about these scams to protect our customers. We are coordinating to identify scammers’ trends and get their phone numbers shut down when possible.
Be aware that scammers often spoof legitimate OPPD phone numbers, making it look like their call is coming from the utility. Such was the case with one of two calls the customer received in this most recently reported case. The second call appeared to come from a local real estate office.
OPPD customers should call 402-536-4131 in the Omaha calling area or 877-536-4131 outside of the Omaha area to report suspected utility scam calls.
In addition, OPPD reminds customers:
The utility will not call and demand immediate payment over the phone, even if they were overdue on their bills. If that were the case, they would receive written notice, not a threatening phone call.
- OPPD does not charge for meters or other equipment.
- If you receive a voice or text message with a call back number or link, do not call or click. Instead, call OPPD directly at the numbers listed above.
- NEVER give personal or financial information to a stranger during an unsolicited phone call.
- Do NOT allow a person without proper credentials or utility authorization into your home, especially if they appear unannounced at your door.
- ALWAYS ask for identification or verification. OPPD employees and contractors always carry identification. Failure to produce identification should always be a tip-off to the customer that something is wrong.
- Be wary of sales pitches from companies claiming to represent or work with OPPD. Call the utility if you have any questions.