BENTON, AR – There’s a new warning about another scam.
The Benton Police Department (BNPD) wants to alert residents about individuals calling businesses and homes claiming to be representatives of Benton Utilities or Entergy.
The caller then informs them they are behind on utility payments and that if a payment isn’t made immediately they would have their utilities turned off. In some of the calls they were instructed to go to a nearby grocery store and get a Western Union money order to pay the bill.
The BNPD says three calls were reported last Friday but none of the people contacted fell for the scam.
Benton Police say they want to remind residents that it’s not common practice for utility companies to call and demand immediate payment via Western Union or to ask for their credit card information. If you ever have any doubts as to the legitimacy of a call, then hang up and contact your utility company directly or the police department.
Anyone with information about this scam is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at (501) 778-1171 or (501) 315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us an anonymous crime tip about this incident to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip.
