Electric bill scam includes shutoff threat

Police are warning residents about an overdue electric bill scam.

A Hilo business told police on Wednesday that it received a phone call from someone posing as a representative of the local electric company. The caller claimed the business’ electric bill was overdue and said a utility truck was down the road and the electricity would be shut off unless the bill was paid immediately.

Police caution the public not to respond to requests for information or payment that come by telephone or through the Internet. If a notification seems like it may be legitimate, police advise calling the published number in the phone book, not any phone number you receive over the phone or Internet.