OPPD warns utility phone scammers are at it again

Omaha Public Power District is beginning to receive more reports about scam calls targeting our customers. We want to remind our customers how to defend themselves against this long-running con that has affected utility customers not only in our area, but across the region and country.

Oftentimes, these callers use spoofing technology to make it appear as though they are calling from a legitimate OPPD phone number when they are not. They claim to work for the power company and falsely claim customers are either overdue on their bills or owe money for equipment, when they do not. Often, the callers are aggressive and instruct their targets to buy some sort of pre-paid credit or gift card to settle the alleged debt. Sometimes, they threaten to disconnect power if they don’t receive payment soon. This is a hollow threat. Do NOT pay these callers. 

In the past, we’ve heard of certain types of businesses being targeted at various times – ranging from restaurants to nail salons to day cares and more. We suspect they are hoping that customers will pay rather than risk being shut down and losing even more money.

These scammers can be quite sophisticated. In addition to spoofing utility phone numbers, they have used robocalls, even recording actual utility messages to sound authentic, as well as using text messages and QR codes. Do not call any numbers back or click on any links that are provided in such messages.

Customers who have any questions about service, their account or bill status, or if in need of financial assistance should call us at 402-536-4131 in the Omaha calling area or 877-536-4131 outside of the Omaha area. 

We want our residential and business customers to protect themselves by remembering the following:

• NONE of these calls are from the utility. Our call center representatives would never cold-call a customer demanding immediate payment. If customers were truly overdue on their bills to the point where service could be disconnected, they would receive written notice first. Authentic utility representatives never request payment via a purchased payment card. 
• NEVER give personal or financial information to a stranger during an unsolicited phone call.  
• Do NOT allow entrance to such a person, without proper credentials or utility authorization, appearing unannounced at your door. 
• ALWAYS ask for identification or verification. OPPD employees 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.   

OPPD is working in partnership with other local and regional public power utilities to raise awareness of these scams among our customers, identify scammers’ trends, and get their phone numbers shut down when possible.