A scam targeting Trustpower customers is doing the rounds at the moment.

A man, who did not want to be named, contacted SunLive saying he received a phone call last week from a man claiming to work for Trustpower.

‘Jarred', as he called himself, claimed the customer's Trustpower account was overdue, and requested bank details.

The customer was suspicious, and provided false details, which he believes the scammers were trying to use to access his account during the 31-minute phone call.

He says they sounded Kiwi, and when he contacted his phone company for the scammers' number, discovered it was a local mobile.

Trustpower general manager of customer operations Fiona Smith says the company has been contacted by a few customers who have received such calls.

'We immediately alerted all other electricity retailers so they could be aware, and also posted a warning on our Facebook page for our customers and communities. We have provided details to the police and will continue to work with them through the investigation.

'Most of our calls are customer initiated and while we may call our customers from time to time we advise our customers to not provide bank account details in any instance. We advise customers that if they receive a call that they believe could be from scammers, please ring Trustpower on 0800 87 87 87 and also contact the Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.”

Detective Sergeant Greg Turner says police are aware of a number of scams operating and warn people they should always be aware they can become targets.

'In recent weeks or months scammers have been claiming they are from Trustpower and targeting elderly people in particular.”

Police Advice for Scam Prevention

1. Look after your personal details in the same way you would your wallet and other possessions. Your personal details are very valuable to scammers, they will use your details to take out loans or run up debts if they can.

2. Be aware of common scams. For example, banks, Immigration New Zealand or Inland Revenue never email, call or text customers to ask for money to be sent using money transfer services. If you receive a request like that, it's a scam.

3. Don't trust anyone who calls you and asks for your financial related information such as your account details and password – again simply hang up, call them on their published contact 0800 number or arrange a meeting at the relevant agency branch.

4. If you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately by visiting Consumer Protection's Scamwatch website.