MOSES LAKE - The Grant County PUD is offering advice to people who suspect they are being scammed by a person claiming to represent the district.

There has been an influx in Basin residents receiving calls from people claiming to represent the PUD. Small businesses have most recently been targeted.

Telephone scammers called Grant PUD customers and threatened to shut off their electricity unless an immediate payment is made, PUD spokesperson Thomas Stredwick said.

PUD customers reported receiving calls from individuals misrepresenting themselves as PUD employees and demanding the customers meet them in a location other than a PUD office to pay their bills.

According to Stredwick, the scammers have historically targeted residents, big businesses and small businesses.

The current influx of scam calls has been specifically targeting small businesses. Douglas and Chelan counties have been dealing with a similar problem with scam PUD calls.

"I can't give specific numbers, we haven't really tracked that in the past, but it has definitely increased in frequency. With the proliferation of these pre-paid gift cards (pre-paid credit cards), that has provided quite a bit of exposure as far as security of these funds. I think that is part of the reason of the increase," Stredwick said.

Stredwick said Grant PUD employees do not ask customers to meet them to make payments at a location other than a regular PUD payment facility.

Grant PUD does make courtesy calls to customers who are behind on their power bills. All customers who are unsure about the legitimacy of a call from the PUD should tell the caller they will hang up and call back.

Customers should then call Grant PUD's main customer service number at 509-766-2505 or toll free 1-800-422-3199 to ensure the call is legitimate.

If you believe you are being scammed, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.