The Watertown Police Department has received multiple reports of attempts to defraud commercial businesses in the Watertown area.

The caller tells the person who answers the phone at the business that their utilities are going to be shut off in 30 minutes if they do not immediately pay their bill over the phone.

Watertown Municipal Utilities has verified that this is a scam. It is the standard practice of the Watertown Municipal Utility Department to send out a letter advising of a delinquent account. Any questions regarding your account can be answered by calling Municipal Utilities at 605-882-6233.

Citizens are reminded that if ANYONE calls you over the telephone and asks for credit card information or to verify their payment account information they should refuse to give out this information and hang up.

This has been a repetitive scam that has been occurring in Watertown. If you believe you have been the victim of a scam and have suffered a financial loss, you should contact your financial institution and the Watertown Police Department.