A new phone scam in which crooks impersonate energy company staff is doing the rounds, police warn.
The scam involved callers demanding payment to Nova Energy, with the scammer threatening to cut off power unless victims made payment.
Police said anybody who received such a call could verify its authenticity by calling Nova on 0800 668 236.
"You should not make any payment until you have verified the call and are satisfied it is genuinely from Nova," police said today.
Police were investigating the scam and said anyone with information about the bogus calls could contact Detective Craig Whitley at Wellington police on 04 381 2000.