Scammers targeting La Plata Electric Association customers over allegedly past-due bills are taking a more sophisticated approach.

Businesses in Archuleta and La Plata counties are the targets.

The latest assault includes the LPEA name and telephone number in the caller ID. In earlier attempts to dupe LPEA customers, the caller relied on intimidation.

“We’ve had many more calls from customers,” chief financial officer Dennis Svanes said in a statement. “We believe it’s because our name and number come up in the caller ID.”

But the basic premise of the call hasn’t changed. The customer is in arrears in his payments and faces having service cut if payment isn’t received quickly.

But don’t fall for it, LPEA said.

When an account is past due, LPEA customers receive a series of notices and are given adequate time to settle a bill, a news release said.

daler@durangoherald.com