CONCORD — Chief Joseph O’Connor and the Concord Municipal Light Plant are issuing a warning about a recent increase in scam phone calls received by residents regarding callers posing as utility company employees.

In most instances the scammers said the customer owes money and their power will be shut off within two hours if they do not pay immediately.

The scammer is able to identify customers’ names, addresses and phone numbers.

Some residents who have received the calls report that it is a woman speaking with an accent.

One of the phone numbers used was 1-800-685-0133. A customer who reported receiving a call recently said that the scammer claimed to be from a company called “UniCal.”

Anyone who believes they have received a suspicious phone call or have been victimized by a recent scam call is asked to call Concord Police at 978-318-3400. Residents are also asked to contact CMLP’s customer service line at 978-318-3101 or email concordlight@concordma.gov to report any scam calls they received.

“If you receive a suspicious phone call, do not give out any personal information and hang up the phone,” Chief O’Connor said. “Utility companies will never call and threaten to shut off your service if you don’t pay your bill.”