The Rincon Police Department has received several complaints from local businesses who have received calls from a person attempting to scam the business out of funds, said Chief Phillip Scholl.

The caller claims to be a representative of Georgia Power, and states that the business is delinquent on their electric bill, and the power will be shut off by the end of the day if the balance is not paid. They will then instruct the business to pay them over the phone, using a prepaid debit card (which the business will need to load with cash), and then provide the caller with the card number.

If this is achieved, the caller then obtains the funds electronically.

Scholl said this is a scam, and all businesses and even home owners should be aware of this method of fraud. Should anyone receive this type of call, the call should be disconnected immediately, and local law enforcement should be made aware immediately.