The Mason City Police Department is alerting the public to scam phone calls scaring people with cutting off their utility services.
The MCPD says dispatchers have received reports from local residents getting unexpected phone calls from people claiming to be with a local utility company. The unknown caller has threatened to shut off power and gas unless an unpaid utility bill isn’t paid within a very short time.
Authorities say multiple residents were told they had to pay $500 with gift cards in less than 30 minutes to avoid utilities being shut off. The scammer then will ask their target victims to read the numbers on the backs of the gift cards over the phone or ask that a photo of the numbers be texted to the scammer, who would then use the gift cards for their own purchases.
MCPD reminds citizens that legitimate businesses do not operate in this manner and that if you receive one of these types of calls to hang up and contact law enforcement.
