MASON CITY – Another utility bill scam was reported to police today, this time in Mason City.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, the Mason City Police Department took two reports of attempted utility scams involving local businesses. In these cases, the caller alleged to be the City of Mason City utilities or Alliant Energy. In both cases, businesses were told that unless they paid past due balances immediately, utilities would be shut off.
The subsequent investigation determined that neither call to the business was from a legitimate utility vendor. Businesses and homeowners should be aware that they may receive similar calls from scammers. Legitimate businesses will send you notice about past due balances. Your first communication from them about a past due balance will not be via telephone.
The police department encourages residents not to share their personal information via telephone, unless you initiated the communication. If you receive a call from someone and you are skeptical about its legitimacy, you can always hang up and call the organization back yourself.
If you have been a victim and paid, sent or transferred money to someone you believe is a scammer, please contact your local law enforcement agency. For incidents that occurred in Mason City, you can reach the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.
On Tuesday, NIT reported a similar scam had been turned over to police in Algona.
