West Michigan authorities are warning of a new phone scam.
The Muskegon Public Safety Office says scammers are calling residents, claiming to be from utility providers such as Consumers Energy and demanding immediate payment.
The caller then instructs the victim to pay the balance over the phone through purchase of a pre-paid credit card, or their power will be shut off within two hours.
Consumers Energy says it does not conduct business this way, nor would it demand payment on such short notice.
Officials say if you receive a similar call to hang up the phone, and to not give personal information over the phone unless you are sure the call is legitimate.
The department says this scam and similar scams have been going around the state, and becoming more prevalent locally.