A phone scam is seemingly circulating through Sequim.

Multiple reports from Clallam County Public Utility District (PUD) customers indicate the scam unfolds as someone claiming to be a PUD customer service representative. The impersonator then threatens to turn the PUD customer’s power off unless a set amount of money is paid.

Andrew Pocock, owner of Advanta Dental, was among those to receive a phone call from someone claiming to be with PUD, alerting Pocock that a technician was en route to turn off his power.

“I was sitting at the computer and quickly looked at both my PUD account and credit card history and discovered that on my end, payments had been made so it didn’t make sense,” Pocock said.

“He then proceeded to tell me I was still required to make a payment today and that he needed to have an investigation into it at which time I would be refunded the money.”

Pocock was instructed to make an immediate payment in cash at the Port Angeles Safeway via “Reloadit” prepaid card. Questioning the validity of the phone call, Pocock got the person’s name and number and hung up.

Despite not making a payment, Pocock’s power remained on, he said.

“It was fairly convincing except for the cash required,” he said. “If he’d asked for a credit card number I probably would have given it to him over the phone.”

PUD officials are aware of the scam, Mike Howe, PUD communications and government relations manager, said.

“Unfortunately, scams like this happen on a regular basis,” he said.

When disconnecting service, Howe explained, PUD officials don’t just randomly call, but there is whole system and notification process.

If contacted, Howe encourages customers to be cautious when providing personal information, and when in doubt, call the PUD at 452-9771 to verify the legitimacy of the inquiry.