Staff report

Vidor Police Department has been notified of a scam active in southeastern Texas, Chief Rod Carroll said Thursday.

Carroll said a business received a call from a number identifying the caller ID as “Entergy.” The caller identified himself as an Entergy employee and advised the business owner their Entergy utility bill was past due and required immediate payment to avoid termination of service.

Carroll said the caller told the business owner he needed to go to Walgreen’s immediately and purchase a “Money Pack Card” and place $500 on it. The business was then supposed to call a designated number with the “Money Pack” identification number or their electricity would be shut off.

The imposter Entergy employee was able to give past amounts of previous bills.

The business owner did not fall for the scam and challenged the caller, at which time the caller hung up, Carroll said.

“Entergy is a professional organization; they will not require payment utilizing a Money Pack Card over the phone,” Carroll said. “All customers of Entergy should be made aware of this scam.”