COEUR d'ALENE - Andrea Werpy felt a bit panicked Friday when she thought someone was about to turn off the electric power at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The church is one of several businesses in the region that were preyed upon this week by scam artists posing as Avista Utilities employees.

Werpy, the one person who works in the church's one-person office, received a call Friday morning from a person claiming to be an Avista technician.

"He gave a name and badge number," Werpy said. "He said there was a red flag order to disconnect the service at our address here."

The caller suggested Werpy call Avista's customer service department for assistance, and he gave her a toll-free number. Werpy called the number and was then transferred to someone in what she was told was the finance department. That person told Werpy that the church's electric bill was past due.

"He said they had received a payment but the transfer of funds hadn't occurred. It was like a bounced check," Werpy said.

She said she found it odd that the church hadn't received any notices from the bank or from Avista.

"He was just adamant. He said, 'You have to make a payment today, a cash payment,'" she said.

The scam became apparent when church representatives were told to make the late utility payment by taking cash to a Rite-Aid drug store. They were told to buy a pre-paid debit card, and call the toll-free number with the serial number on the card.

Werpy said she called Avista directly and confirmed their account was up-to-date. She said even if it was true, she already knew it had to be a bank error or a billing error.

"Regardless, when someone says the technician is on his way to turn off the power, you think this is a real thing," Werpy said.

An employee of Wildcat Pizza in Hayden had a similar experience. Maria Pileggi, manager of the pizza restaurant, said the employee called her at home and told her Avista had called.

Pileggi said she called the power company right away, and filed a police report.

"The police said they received three calls like this," Pileggi said.

Avista spokeswoman Debbie Simock said the company is aware of businesses in Pullman, Kellogg, Coeur d'Alene and elsewhere in the region that received similar calls.

"Avista never makes high pressure calls of this nature," Simock said.

The power company works with people facing service interruptions, she said. It never comes as a surprise.

Simock warned residents to be aware that even though the caller identification on a phone may indicate a call is coming from Avista, it may not be. Scammers sometimes "spoof" phone numbers, she said.

"If a customer receives a call and feels uncomfortable, we suggest they make a note of the phone number and hang up," Simock said.

She said no one should give confidential information over the phone to anyone who says they are from Avista. The power company never requests this type of information by telephone, she said.

If customers have any questions or concerns, Simock suggests they call Avista: (800) 227-9187.