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May 15, 2019Nebraska |  By: Lily Lopez

NPPD warns public about scammers

The Nebraska Public Power District wants to make the public aware of the uptick in scam calls posing as representatives of NPPD, demanding payment. The scam callers will insist the customer's bill must be paid immediately or their power will be shut off recommending several forms of payment. The scammer's caller identification is often falsified to appear as if the call originates from the NPPD utility company, a practice known as spoofing. Media Relations Specialist for NPPD, Grant Otten says to never follow instructions on any call that seems suspicious.

"Sometimes they'll give you a different 800-number to call back.  That's how they work their way to getting you to call back to their system.  So if you believe you are getting called or believe it's a scam whether it's NPPD or a different power provider and they are demanding payments and threatening to shut your power off, just hang up, notify your local law enforcement or notify your local power provider and let them know what's going on."

Otten urges every one to watch out for red flags when dealing with suspicious calls.

"Often times the scammer will get more aggressive as the conversation goes on if you refuse to pay right away or you're asking more questions.  So that can often be a sign.  Obviously our customer care people won't be aggressive.  If they are threatening to shut your power off,  that's not how NPPD will handle their business, nor will any other power district."

The recent scam calls have targeted communities in Aurora, McCook, York, Geneva, Pawnee City, and Scottsbluff, but all residents should watch out for any suspicious calls. For more information or to report a suspicious call, call 877-ASK-NPPD.