You get a call from an unknown number. The caller on the other end says your electricity will be shut off unless you pay a past due bill.

The caller sounds very convincing. You feel like you can’t afford to ignore it. That’s because electricity is essential to you and your family. And if you’re a small business owner, your livelihood depends on it, too. What should you do?

Hang up. Immediately. Better yet, block the number as soon as you do.

At Wheatland Electric Cooperative Inc., we NEVER call members directly to demand immediate payment or threaten disconnection. These phone calls are made by scammers targeting utility customers, and they are relentless. We receive messages from our members almost weekly alerting us to these calls.

To empower our members, we're here to share tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to empower you and protect yourself against scammers who are out to get your money. Here are some warning signs:

• If you know you already paid, stop. Even if the caller insists you have a past due bill. That’s a big red flag.

• Never give out your banking information by email or phone. Utility companies don’t demand banking information by email or phone. And they won’t force you to pay by phone as your only option.

• Did the caller demand payment by gift card, cash reload card, wiring money or cryptocurrency? Don’t do it. Legitimate companies don’t demand one specific method of payment. And they don’t generally accept gift cards (like iTunes or Amazon), cash reload cards (like MoneyPak, Vanilla, or Reloadit), or cryptocurrency (like bitcoin).

What should you do instead?

• Concerned that your bill is past due? Contact one of our local offices directly using the number on your paper bill or on our website. Don’t call any number the caller gave you.

• Never give banking information over the phone unless you place the call to a number you know is legitimate.

• Tell the FTC. Reports help government agencies fight scams. And report it to us, too, so we can alert other members about a rise in scams.

• If you already paid the scammer, tell your bank or financial institution. There may be options to get your money back. Even if you don’t get your money back, it’s important to tell them about the scam so they are aware and can alert other customers about a rise in scam calls.

Protecting yourself from scams means empowering yourself. Learn more ways you can protect yourself or your business from these types of scams.