Phone scam reported

The Escanaba Department of Public Safety is warning City of Escanaba Utility Office customers of a telephone scam circulating the area.

Utility customers are being called by someone representing themselves with the City of Escanaba Utility Office. The caller informs the customer that their account is overdue and demands a large, one-time, immediate payment. The caller threatens that the utility service will be shut-off should the payment not be made.  The caller even suggests the method of payment be by wire transfer or prepaid financial instrument commonly sold at retail stores.

The City of Escanaba Utility Office is not making these calls and it is a scam.

For delinquent accounts, the City of Escanaba Utility Office says it will first attempt to reach customers by mail. The second attempt at contact will be by posting a notice at the delinquent utility location. The City of Escanaba will never suggest the method by which you settle your utility bill.

If you receive a phone call like this, do not not give the caller any financial or personal information and terminate the call. If you fall victim to this scam or a similar telephone scam,  notify your law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

For questions regarding your City of Escanaba Utility account, call the Utility Office directly at (906)786-0552 or visit them in person in City Hall, located at 410 Ludington Street, Escanaba.