Payment scams have become more prevalent, and Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) wants to prevent phone scammers from victimizing members. Every day, millions of Americans are targeted by scammers through phone calls, emails, text messages, websites, or in person.
The most common way a scammer poses as TCEC is through a phone call demanding payment. Our cooperative is PCI compliant and will never ask for or accept payments over the phone. If you receive a call from someone threatening to disconnect your power unless you make an immediate payment over the phone, hang up! If you want to verify account information, you can call TCEC directly.
Suspect a rotten scammer? Here’s what to do if the call seems suspicious:
- Take your time — Scammers try to create a sense of urgency. Take a moment to think about the situation.
- Be suspicious — Typically, scammers request immediate payment. If the request seems out of the ordinary, you’re probably being targeted.
- Call TCEC at (580) 652-2418 — If you’re unsure if the call is legitimate, hang up and call TCEC to verify your account information and to report the call.
Our increasingly connected world provides scammers with more opportunities to connect with unsuspecting consumers. Be vigilant, and please report any utility scams to TCEC so we can let others in our community know. Together, we can help prevent our friends and neighbors from being victimized.
For more information, visit our Account Security page or the Utilities United website.