Utility customers face a new telephone scam

A new telephone scam is targeting customers of Idaho Power Company.

Idaho Power says callers claiming to represent the company are telling customers their meters are damaged and need to be replaced. They also demand payment with pre-paid cards like Green Dot MoneyPak. The caller also provides a 1-866 telephone number so the customer can talk to a representative.

Idaho Power does not accept Green Dot pre-paid cards and the telephone number is not Idaho Power’s customer service number.

The utility is warning customers to be wary of phony pop-up ads, threatening calls, requests for immediate payment, fraudulent job postings and other scams using the Idaho Power name. Some focus on specific groups, like restaurant owners or Spanish-speaking customers.

The scammers are using the same tactics with customers of other utilities across the country.