(InvestigateTV) - The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that scammers may pose as local water, electric or gas company representatives, contacting people by phone, text or in person and claiming a payment is overdue.

Josh Planos, a spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau, said the scam often begins with a phone call."In a lot of cases what this looks like is somebody gets a phone call," Planos said.

"The caller ID is spoofed to indicate the local utility service, and the consumer is told that something is going to go wrong if they don't remedy a payment."Planos said the demand for immediate action is a key warning sign, especially when paired with unconventional payment methods."Real utility companies don't operate this way. They never demand immediate payment," Planos said.