Phone billing scams that target utility customers have been reported in Iowa. MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy have had more than 400 reports of customers receiving fraudulent calls, with the scammers targeting small businesses and Spanish-speaking customers most frequently. The scams have a caller pose as an employee of an energy company and then threaten to cut off power unless a payment is made.

The utilities advise customers who receive a suspicious call to hang up and call local authorities as well as the utility company to report the scam and check on the status of their account. They advise to never give personal information like credit card or account numbers out over the phone and ask for identification from anyone who may approach you in person.