TRYON – The Tryon Police Department is making the public aware of an increase in scammers calling area residents, specifically callers who say they are employees of Duke Energy.

The police department sent a Nixle alert on Wednesday saying the caller claims that Duke Energy is requesting immediate payment of a past due balance.

“Duke Energy DOES NOT call and request immediate payment from account holders,” said the police department’s warning.

According to Duke Energy, phone scammers pose as the recipient’s utility provider and insist they are delinquent on their bill.

“They may also threaten to turn off your power, rig caller ID to make it look like the call is from your utility provider or tell you to put the money on a prepaid debit card and ask for the card number,” state’s Duke Energy. “Don’t believe it.”

For more information regarding this scam, visit duke-energy.com/StopScams.