Utility Disconnect Scam Calls

We have received several reports that our customers are getting a call on their phone from someone claiming to be from the utility department/company, these calls are claiming that you have a delinquent account and that your electricity will be shut off.  We can assure you that this is not the city, nor anyone affiliated with the city, making these calls.  Please review these tips when dealing with someone claiming to be from the "Electric Utility":  

• The City does not use robo-callers, for any reason, ever.  We believe in HUMAN interaction and a robot just cannot substitute for a good human customer service rep.  NOTE: Occasionally we will have a customer service opinion poll call a random sampling of our customers but those calls will never ask you to provide any financial or identifying details. 
• The City will only ever call you from a 580 area code in regards to your account.  If it is someone calling you from City Hall it will have a 782 prefix. If you receive a call from an 800, 855, 884 (ect.) area code... hang up immediately, it is a scam.  
• The City will only call you in case of an emergency or in response to a work order request.  If we call you, we will know your name, your account number, and the details in your account.  If you are unsure whether you are talking to a City representative,  feel free to hang up and call us back at (580)782-2250.  That is the direct line to City Hall and Utility Customer Service.
• Occasionally the City does have to perform a cut-off due to non-payment.  The City does not typically call during this process, we hang door knockers on the front door of the building.  Our typical billing cycle looks like this (with some slight variations due to weekends and holidays):
  • Customer uses utilities for the month of January
  • 1st-4th of February: Meters are read manually by City staff
  • 25th of February: Bills are mailed out 
  • 10th of March: Payments are due
  • 4:30PM, 10th of March: Late charges are automatically assessed to delinquent accounts
  • 18th of March: Door Knockers are generated and placed on doors by staff
  • 20th of March: Utilities are cut-off due to non-payment.
• If you get a call and you are unsure... don't answer it. Just let it go to voicemail. The City will always leave a message, and you can feel safe in knowing that you can call us back at (580)782-2250.