Officials warn of utilities scam

Russellville Utilities customers who receive a call about their power being turned off could be on the receiving end of a scam, officials have said.

Pat Seal, office manager of Russellville Utilities, said their office received several calls last week from panicked customers who believed their power was about to be cut off.

Seal said the customers reported they received a phone call from a person stating they were with the utility company and their power would be cut off if the customer didn’t pay a certain amount within 30 minutes of the call.

Seal said the call came from an 805 area code.

“We just want all of our customers to be aware that this is going on,” Seal said.

“If you receive a phone call, especially from an 805 area code, and they tell you your power is about to be cut off, that’s not going to be coming from us.”

Seal said anyone who receives a call like this should contact the utilities office at 256-332-3850 to verify their bill status.