Scam artists posing as power company employees reportedly have been calling people in the Flathead Valley with threats to shut off power within a couple of hours if payment is not made immediately.

They request payment in the form of a pre-paid credit card, credit cards, or through PayPal, according to a press release from the Kalispell Police Department.

The scammers claim they are from the utility company’s disconnect department, and that they have a disconnect crew on the way to shut off electricity.

They are targeting small businesses, but may target individuals as well. In the case of businesses such as restaurants, they are calling during busy times.

Legitimate utility companies do not make these types of calls nor do they ask for the same methods of payment.

Business managers should discuss with employees what to do if they receive one of these phone calls.

If a utility payment is past due, the company will send out a reminder if the account becomes eligible for disconnection.