Utilities, including Homer Electric Association, are getting reports from businesses regarding suspicious phone calls, according to a press release from HEA.

The phone scam is targeting customers in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula.

According to the release, a fraudulent caller impersonates a utility representative and requests payment for the customer’s supposed past due bill and threatens immediate disconnection of electric service if the bill is not paid. The goal of the scammers is to obtain credit card or other financial information.

HEA urges members to end the phone call and contact Homer Electric for verification if a suspicious phone call is received, and to check the status of your account. Homer Electric has a protocol for contacting members which includes advanced notification prior to a phone call.

Scammers are becoming smarter, so don’t be fooled by caller ID even if it says Homer Electric Association.

Never give anyone your personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card number unless you initiated the conversation and you are confident the transaction is legitimate.

For additional information, call HEA at 1-800-478-8551.

— Staff report