Scam calls claim electricity will be shut off unless BitCoin payment is sent

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls police are investigating after two individuals misplaced cash to a cellphone rip-off that required a singular cost kind.

Police say a person and a enterprise acquired the identical form of name. Somebody claiming to be Xcel Vitality saying they have been overdue on funds and wanted to pay straight away or their energy can be shut off. Police say the scammers had the victims make a cost via a BitCoin kiosk.

“The tip consequence is identical, that we wish individuals in the event that they get a name from a utility firm or someone claiming to be with the federal government or whoever, particularly in the event that they stated they’re owed cash and must pay straight away, get some contact data, get the knowledge from that particular person, dangle up, then do your personal unbiased analysis,” Sioux Falls police spokesman Sam Clemens stated.

Police say each victims didn’t understand it was a rip-off till they known as Xcel the subsequent day.