Scammers targeting local businesses, threatening to cut off power VIDEO: Scammers targeting local businesses, threatening to cut off power By Michal Higdon | January 18, 2021 at 6:30 PM EST - Updated January 18 at 7:47 PM CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - We may be a few weeks into a new year but scammers are keeping up their same old antics. This time, though, theyâre targeting small businesses. Scammers are pretending to be a utility company and threaten to cut your power. âWe had gotten a call on our answering machine here at El Jefe and someone left a message, an urgent message, for the business owner that your power is going to be shut off in 30 minutes if you didnât call back,â Roy Neal, Co-owner of El Jefe Texican Cantina in downtown Charleston, said.