The Ithaca Police Department is warning residents of the latest telephone scam. People are reportedly receiving phone calls telling them they must make a payment on an overdue utility bill or face having their power shut off immediately. The scammers have been focusing on restaurants in the Ithaca area, telling them they have a bill of $3,000, and then they ask for a payment over the phone using a credit card, or ask the victims to call back to pay with money cards. Police issued a public warning on these scams back in March, but the scam artists continue to victimize residents, specifically in the Ithaca area. Officials ask that anyone receiving a similar phone call contact their local police agency.
