The Putnam County Sheriff's Department says it's getting recent reports of a phone scam centered on utilities.

People in the county are getting automated phone calls, seemingly from New York State Gas and Electric or Central Hudson.

The calls claim one's power will be shut off in 30 minutes due to an unpaid balance.

The sheriff says the calls are a scam, and that NYSEG and Central Hudson would never shut off power via an automated call. The utility would instead get in touch by mail and try to work out a payment schedule before a shut down.

The power companies don't accept Venmo, Cash App or Zelle. They also won't ask for payment via gift cards or large sums of cash given to a courier.

Officials say that anyone who receives these calls should hang up and call their utility provider directly to confirm the details.