Businesses report phone scam

On Thursday and Friday of last week, a number of Sidney businesses were contacted by someone claiming to be from the Sidney Public Power District. The caller would then go on to say that these businesses were behind on their power bills, and unless they submitted a large payment immediately, their power would be shut off.

The Sidney Police Department made contact with this caller using the call-back number they provided the businesses, and they did in fact identify themselves using this business name until they realized who they were talking to. Subsequent calls to this number were answered as “Papa Johns”, and then later calls were denied indicating the “Magic Jack” internet phone number generating device had been unplugged.

These phone calls are fictitious and part of a scam to get money from local businesses who are feared into having their power shut-off. If you receive any calls from anyone other than the City of Sidney regarding your electrical service, please gather as much information as you can from the caller and then contact the Sidney PD at 254-5515.

The police are investigating.