By Allison Peck
North Platte, Neb. - The City of North Platte and Municipal Light & Water are warning residents about scammers impersonating city employees and demanding immediate payment to avoid utility disconnection.
According to the city, individuals have been calling or texting residents, claiming to represent City departments and threatening to disconnect utilities if payment is not made. Some callers have also threatened bodily harm.
These calls are not from the City of North Platte.
Municipal Light & Water says it may contact customers about delinquent accounts, but it will never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten bodily harm.
Residents should be aware of the following warning signs:
- Demands for payment by prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer are scams.
- Scammers may manipulate caller ID to make it appear a call is coming from Municipal Light & Water.
- Residents who receive a threatening call about a utility account should hang up and avoid engaging with the caller.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call should contact Municipal Light & Water directly using the information on their billing statement. Residents can use that information to verify their account status or report a possible scam.
The city encourages residents to remain cautious and verify utility payment requests through official channels before providing any payment information.