ACROSS THE NORTHWOODS - Your phone rings with a call. On the other end the caller says your power will be shut down if you don't pay within the hour. The callers ask for either cash or a prepaid credit card number.

It's a growing trend that one utility company wants you to be aware. Wisconsin Public Service says people have been calling customers pretending to be the utility company.

"First of all, we're not disconnecting any residential or small commercial accounts during this time because of the winter martourium. And then secondly, we never ask for a prepaid debit card for payment," says Leah Van Zile, Community Relations Director.

For customers that are late on payments, the call can be decieving. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure the call isn't a scam.

"Any time you get a call like that, and it seems suspicious, you can take down the callers information. A lot of times, at that time, they will hang up because they don't want to give out any information," says Van Zile.

If information is given, ask to call back after double checking with the power company to verify. And if you do catch a scam, notify your utility company.

Story By: Melissa Constanzer