TOPEKA -- Westar Energy is spending its first days of the holiday season urging its customers to be on the alert for fraudulent callers claiming to be from Westar Energy. Several customers have contacted Westar's contact center after receiving the suspicious calls.

In most of the cases, the caller claims to be a Westar Energy customer service representative and tries to get the customer they've called to provide their credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer he or she has a bill that is past-due.

Legitimate calls from Westar Energy should display 316-383-8600 on the caller ID. The agent should always be able to provide his or her name and extension if you request it from them. For past-due accounts, calls from Westar Energy requesting payment are never made the same day as the service disconnection. The customer should always have the opportunity to call Westar Energy back, and verify the information.

Any suspicious calls should be reported after you hang up, to the Westar Energy Customer Contact Center at 1-800-383-1183 or 316-383-8600 in Wichita. Customers should also report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agencies.