Scammers aren't about to slow down - even during the holidays.

The "Avista" scam has resurfaced, where callers identify themselves as Avista Utilities employees and say the customer is overdue on their utility account - telling them they must wire funds immediately or Avista will shut off their power.

A Rathdrum business owner told The Press that he was targeted on Saturday.

"I told them that I was up-to-date with my bill, but they informed me that this was a separate bill that had to do with the federal-mandated meter update," the man wrote in an email to The Press. "Well, obviously I was very upset and asked to talk to a supervisor, which they then sent me to another person who told me that I had to either pay it or my power was gong to be shut off.

"There was no negotiating the fee or time."

Because of the late time of day, the only way to pay was to go to a Western Union or similar money agency and send them the funds.

"I was actually on my way to the bank when I thought I would call Avista back to make sure it was legit," the man wrote. "Thankfully I did and was told that this was a scam that was used a few years ago."

The phone number on the man's caller identification system was (801) 689-6019 from Ogden, Utah.

"They sounded very professional and had quite a bit of my information," he wrote. "I was lucky. I only wasted an hour of my Saturday, but someone else may not be so lucky."

Debbie Simock, Avista spokeswoman, said Avista has received several reports of a similar phone scam, including two on Monday.

"When customers report the phone number to us, our practice is to work to have the phone number of an attempted scammer disconnected," she said. "The reality is having to get another phone number is more of an inconvenience than a deterrent to scammers."

Simock said it is important that customers know Avista does not demand immediate payment over the phone in order to avoid a same-day disconnection of service.

"A customer with a past due balance receives several notices by mail over a period of several weeks, plus two phone calls," she said. If customers are unsure about the legitimacy of a phone call, they should end it and call Avista at (800) 227-9187.

Customers should not call phone numbers given to them by possible scammers.

Other scams linger.

Lt. Stu Miller of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said his agency has received 21 scam call reports this month.

"Once one scheme has been exhausted or publicized enough, the thieves move on to the next scam," Miller said. "Several of these get recycled if they are somewhat productive.

"The bottom line for folks is to be aware that there are people out there that have a job of trying to steal from others, and to not fall victim to someone demanding money over the phone. Verify, verify, verify."