Beware of Utility Scams Haunting Our Service Area

There is nothing scarier than your sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. As technology progresses, utility scams are getting more and more creative.

You can’t always trust the Caller ID on your phone. Spoofing is a scam that makes you think a phone call is coming from a legitimate company when it’s not. In the last few months, we have heard reports from members who have received phone calls from an unknown party posing as a Tri-County EMC employee and demanding an electric payment over the phone. “While we do make automated courtesy calls notifying you if your bill is past due, we will never call you and demand your credit card information for immediate payment,” says Communications Specialist Anna Smith. “If you are ever suspicious of any call demanding payment from Tri-County, hang up and call us at 1.866.254.8100 to verify your account balance and due date.”

Signing up for autopay is a great way to make sure your power and internet bills get paid on time each month. Both Tri-County EMC and its internet affiliate, Tri-CoGo, offer autopay programs that will automatically draft your checking account or credit card on your due date. Given our increased reliance on internet-connected devices, please remember that they can also pose a threat to your privacy. Updating your cyber-security software, creating strong passwords, and thinking before you click can protect your identity from hackers trying to steal information.

Once your personal or financial information is compromised, it takes a while to resolve. Tri-County EMC members must remain aware of all possible utility scams haunting our service area.

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