- \n
- To help guard against the potential of identity and information theft, TCEC complies with the standards set by the \u201cRed Flags Rule<\/a>,\u201d security regulations developed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).<\/li>\n
- In accordance with the rule, TCEC will identify, detect, prevent, mitigate, and update Red Flags that signal the possibility of identity theft in connection with the opening of a covered account or any existing covered account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Authorized Account Holders<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Only authorized account holders can make inquiries or changes to any TCEC account.<\/li>\n
- The authorized account holders must contact TCEC in order to disconnect or reconnect an account.<\/li>\n
- If the authorized account holder is handling this business over the phone, they must provide the TCEC representative with the last four digits of the caller’s social security number, account password, or tax identification number.<\/li>\n
- To add authorized account holders, call TCEC at (580) 652-2418<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Secure Payment Options & Website<\/h3>\n
- \n
- We offer secure payment options online, over the phone, and in person. This includes the\u00a0SmartHub\u00a0online portal and mobile app, as well as our secure, automated phone system.<\/li>\n
- Outside of SmartHub, we will never store your payment information.<\/li>\n
- We provide a secure website for accessing and submitting information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sharing Info With You; Never Selling Your Info<\/h3>\n
- \n
- We share information about suspected fraudulent activities affecting TCEC members.<\/li>\n
- We never sell member information to marketers or third parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Know What to Expect From TCEC<\/h2>\n
Knowing what to expect in your interactions with TCEC can help you avoid falling prey to scammers.<\/p>\n
What TCEC Does<\/h3>\n
- \n
- We use an automated system to make recorded courtesy calls to members regarding their accounts. These calls direct recipients to our secure payment line.<\/li>\n
- We submit aged delinquent balances on closed accounts to Online Utility Exchange, which contacts our members by phone to collect payment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What TCEC Never Does<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Call to threaten a service disconnection if payment is not made immediately.<\/li>\n
- Come to your home or business to collect payment in person.<\/li>\n
- Ask you to pay with a prepaid card, or payment app such as Cash App, Venmo, or Zelle. TCEC’s official app is SmartHub.<\/li>\n
- Call from an out-of-state number.<\/li>\n
- Instruct you not to call any other TCEC number to make payment.<\/li>\n
- Have a technician call you to say they are coming out to disconnect the power.<\/li>\n
- Request a cash payment at your home or business.<\/li>\n
- Threaten a service disconnection on holidays or weekends.<\/li>\n
- Try to sell you products or services by phone or door-to-door, including solar panels, energy audits, \u201cimportant energy-saving initiatives,\u201d, or more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Protect Yourself – Cyber Safety & Avoiding Scams<\/h2>\n
Scammers may pretend to be from your utility. Avoid common utility scams and protect your online accounts.<\/p>\n
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.tcec.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/cybersafety2.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nHow to Spot a Scam<\/h3>\n
Don’t become a victim. In one of the most common scams, a caller may:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Pretend<\/strong>\u00a0to be from your utility. (Your caller ID may even display your utility’s name or phone number.)<\/li>\n
- Threaten<\/strong> to turn off the power, water, or natural gas service to your home or business in an hour.<\/li>\n
- Demand<\/strong> immediate payment – often by a prepaid debit card, reloadable card, gift card, or cryptocurrency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Suspect a Scammer? Do This.<\/h3>\n
Here’s what to do if the call seems suspicious:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Stop and hang up immediately.<\/li>\n
- Call your utility provider at the phone number on your bill. Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) can be reached at (580) 652-2418<\/a>. Verify your account status with the representative and report the suspicious call. You can also check your account balance and make payments using SmartHub.<\/li>\n
- Do not pay over the phone if immediate payment is demanded to avoid disconnection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Report a Scammer<\/h3>\n
If you got a call from or were contacted by a fake utility company, the\u00a0Federal Trade Commission<\/a>\u00a0recommends you take these steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Report the scam to your utility company online or by calling a number you know is real<\/li>\n
- Report it to the FTC using their Report Fraud website<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Report it to your\u00a0state attorney general<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Avoiding Utility Scams Video<\/h3>\n
Protect yourself and help keep our community safe with these 3 Tips to Avoid Utility Scams.<\/p>\n
- Report it to your\u00a0state attorney general<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Do not pay over the phone if immediate payment is demanded to avoid disconnection.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Threaten<\/strong> to turn off the power, water, or natural gas service to your home or business in an hour.<\/li>\n
- Pretend<\/strong>\u00a0to be from your utility. (Your caller ID may even display your utility’s name or phone number.)<\/li>\n
- In accordance with the rule, TCEC will identify, detect, prevent, mitigate, and update Red Flags that signal the possibility of identity theft in connection with the opening of a covered account or any existing covered account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n