NV Energy has learned that persons identifying themselves as employees of the company are calling customers, threatening to disconnect power if a credit card payment, money card payment or cash transfer is not made over the phone immediately. These are outright scams.

NV Energy does not call customers and solicit payments. If customers receive a call asking for a payment, they should refuse and call local law enforcement officials or NV Energy if they have additional questions.

Several Elko customers have reported being contacted by phone by a man demanding payment.  In some instances customers are directed to local stores to purchase money cards and make a return call to provide the card number.  In these cases, the scammers use these numbers to transfer the balance on the card to their own accounts.

Customers should call the police if they have been contacted in this manner.  Customers may also call NV Energy's Customer Service Department in Reno at 775-834-4444, or toll free from other parts of northern Nevada at (800) 962-0399, or in Las Vegas at 702-367-5555.

Customers who may be at risk of having their power disconnected because of nonpayment will receive a 10- day and 48-hour notice from NV Energy via U.S. Mail.

In addition, NV Energy requires field employees and contractors to wear identification badges at all times. Anyone claiming to be a NV Energy employee or contractor will be happy to present a badge and employee number when contacting customers in the field. Employees are never authorized to receive payment in the field.