SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Salina are investigating a phone scam at the financial office of Salina Regional Medical Center.

Salina Police Captain Mike Sweeney said the hospital’s financial office received a call this week from someone claiming to be from Westar Energy.

The caller claimed two of the hospital’s Westar accounts were past due and needed to be paid immediately or power would be shut off to the main campus at 400 South Santa Fe.

The instructions were to call an 800-number, talk to someone named Peter, purchase $1,500 in prepaid credit cards and to call back with the card numbers.

The cards were purchased and card information given over the phone before the employee learned it was a scam.