OPPD officials say there is a new twist on an old scam that's making the rounds during this busy holiday season.
It involves a money stealing smartphone app. At least one customer tells OPPD they got a robocall asking them to call back. When the customer called back the scammer instructed the customer to download an app and make a payment.
If the customer didn't, the scammer claimed the customer's power would be disconnected. "We want to warn customers not to fall for scammers’ ploys. None of these callers work for the utility," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"Our call center representatives would never cold-call a customer demanding immediate payment. If customers were truly overdue on their bills to the point where service could be disconnected, they would receive written notice first. Authentic utility representatives would never request payment via a purchased pre-paid credit or gift card."
Customers who have questions about products, services, payments, or their OPPD account in general, should always call the utility directly. Within Omaha, the number is 402-536-4131. Outside of Omaha, customers may also call 1-877-536-4131.