The Jefferson Police Department is making everyone aware of a consistent phone scam.

Police Chief Mark Clouse tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the scammers are calling residents and businesses, posing as an Alliant Energy employee, and telling the victim that they have an overdue utility bill. The scammers then say that if the bill isn’t paid within the hour, power will be shut off to their home or business. The scammers won’t accept a credit card, but instead ask the victim to purchase a Money Pak Card from Dollar General.

Clouse says a few people have already fallen victim to the scam and it is a crime that the officers can’t trace because the funds were used from a disposable card.

Clouse points out that Alliant Energy will not notify someone by phone about an overdue utility bill, they will instead send out a notice in the mail. Customers could also call Alliant Energy’s help line to make sure they don’t have an overdue bill. If anyone comes in contact with a call like this, Clouse wants them to not give out any information, hang up immediately and contact the law enforcement center’s non-emergency number at 386-2136 to report it.