Midwest Energy is again warning customers of a scam where a person calls claiming to be from the electric company. This person then says the customer’s bill is past due and they have to make immediate payment or service will be cut off.

The scam was first reported from a Hays business owner in January. Midwest Energy Spokesman Mike Morley says last week two Hays businesses received similar phone calls. They were told to make a payment within 30 minutes or face disconnection. The businesses were then given a call back number based in Bakersfield, California.

The business owners called Midwest Energy to confirm that their accounts were up to date.

Morley says the company will never use a phone call to tell a customer that their service is being disconnected.

Similar scams have been reported by other western Kansas electric companies.