Leader Staff
At least two local businesses were hit by phone scams over the past several days after receiving calls from supposed utility companies threatening to turn off their electricity.
Bubba’s BBQ, 114 S. Main St., reported it was out $500 after getting a call from someone claiming to be with the Shawano Municipal Utilities disconnection department Saturday, according to Shawano police reports.
The caller told the business they needed to go to Walmart and get a money card to pay the bill.
The incident came the day after the AmericInn, 1330 E. Green Bay St., received a similar call.
In that case, suspicions were raised because the caller claimed to be with WE Energies, even though AmericInn gets its service from SMU.
AmericInn reported the incident to police.
Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl said the scam seems to be a new twist on a con authorities have seen before. Usually these kinds of scams target residences, he said.
In addition to those incidents, one of the People’s Express gas stations was targeted recently, he said.
Kohl cautioned anyone who gets these kinds of calls to be wary.
“If they want you to wire money or buy a cash card, don’t do it,” he said. “And do not give your credit card number or checking account information.”
Kohl said people should call back and try to obtain more information from the caller, or call police and notify them of the incident.