Posted: Saturday, March 2, 2013 -- 3:48 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Public Service is warning customers to be aware of scammers posing as utility employees.

The Green Bay-based utility says the scammers have been contacting small businesses and residential WPS customers and telling them payments on their accounts have not been received. Customers are told their power could be disconnected immediately if they don't make a payment within an hour or two.

WPS says customers were told to purchase prepaid debit cards and call back to make a payment. Another scam is that customers are told to get some cash together for pickup.

The utility company is urging customers who have been contacted by a suspected scammer to call police.

Copyright Associated Press 2013