The caller informs them that if the resident or commercial utility account holder doesn't make payment immediately, their power will be turned off. If you were to make a payment, as they direct, it would not go towards your utility bills at all. The money would be lost, unrecoverable, and you would still owe, at some point, your legitimate power bill to your legitimate provider.
If you are behind on your bill, you would probably know it. You would also be notified in writing by your provider, with the amount owed and a shut-off date. Your provider would not call you and tell you to make payment immediately and demand fund information over the phone.
Please feel free to tell the caller, should you receive such a call, that you know they are pulling a scam, and that you intend to notify the proper authorities, and then hang up. The account holder can also call the City Office to verify if their account is delinquent and in jeopardy of being shut off.
The City of Sidney will never call you and ask you or demand payment information. Do not provide payment to anyone calling and demanding it without properly verifying it first.