(KLZA)-- The Omaha Public Power District is, once again, receiving an especially high number of reports of scammers who are calling their customers, claiming to be from the utility and demanding money. 

At least 35 reports of scam phone calls from customers were reported Friday. 

As we and other utilities have reported, the scam has been around for several years, now. It’s impacting utility customers across the nation. The calls come with several variations, but their goal is the same – to steal customers’ money.

Usually, callers will falsely tell customers they are overdue on bills and that they need to purchase a payment card of some sort to settle up or their service will be disconnected. In some cases, they claim the customer needs to pay to replace a meter or other equipment.

OPPD stresses that none of these people demanding payments or financial information works for the utility.

OPPD advises customers:

Never give personal or financial information to a stranger during an unsolicited telephone call.

If such a person should appear unannounced at one’s door claiming to work for the utility, do not allow them inside. Always ask for identification or verification. Failure to produce identification should always be a tip-off to the customer that something is wrong.

Never turn off security systems for any reason, if a stranger asks. Any customer who receives such a request should call law enforcement immediately.

Customers with any questions about making a payment, or about their account in general, should always call OPPD directly.