Local police departments are warning citizens about a new scam that has targeted two local businesses in the past week.

According to police, a caller claims to be from Puget Sound Energy and says a bill is past due and must be paid immediately to avoid a loss of power.

The caller then provides instructions to purchase “Reload” cash cards and then call back with the code.

The caller also took debit card information from the business for “automatic deposits” to pay future bills, according to the police.

The caller I.D. also apparently shows the call to be coming from Puget Sound Energy.

Police are PSE are warning that this is a scam.

According to the company, PSE will never ask or require customers with delinquent accounts to purchase a prepaid debit card. Customers with delinquent accounts receive multiple notifications by mail and by phone over several weeks prior to disconnection.

If you receive one of these calls, hang up and call 911 immediately and/or report the calls to the Attorney General’s office at 1-800-551-4636.