Business owner warns of Georgia Power scammers

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - A business in Cherokee County is warning other small businesses about a scam going on in the area.

Thursday, Tim Keeton, owner of Hickory Flat Automotive said he got a call from someone claiming to be with Georgia Power. The caller said Keeton's bill was past due and in 30 minutes they would cut power to his business. But Keeton is not a Georgia Power customer, so he knew right away it was a scam.

"They were wanting over $700 from us, they wanted it immediately. I do not want anyone else getting caught by this. As much as effort as they put into this, they should be able to make money legally," said Keeton.

Georgia Power said they will never ask for a credit card or prepaid debit card number over the phone and employees are not sent to homes or businesses to collect payments.