Tonganoxie Police Chief Kenny Carpenter said someone called the woman claiming to be a water department employee.

The person told the woman she had not signed her check and that a $40 late fee would need to be assessed unless the customer paid the bill over the phone by giving a credit card number.

“The City of Tonganoxie would not ask for a credit card number from anybody for any reason,” Carpenter said.

The woman did not give out her number and instead went to Tonganoxie City Hall to inquire about the situation.

Kathy Bard, assistant city administrator, said Tuesday the city would never solicit credit card information or bank account information over the phone. Instead, if a person fails to sign a check, the city will call the resident and ask the resident to come to City Hall to sign the check. If the person is not able to come in and sign the check, Bard said someone in the city will make a note on the signature line noting the absence of the signature, which usually is sufficient.

Carpenter said the phone number was blocked on the woman’s caller ID.

If anyone has received a similar call, contact the Tonganoxie Police Department at (913) 369-3754. Tonganoxie City Hall’s phone number is (913) 845-2620.