Phone Scams on the Rise
SECO Energy is warning members and the public of an increase in the amount of phone scams involving utility bills. Several SECO members have called to report questionable phone calls.
“Energy Efficiency” companies are calling members offering to “help” reduce their energy usage. The person on the line offers an energy audit or wants to install a device on the meter that will lower the energy usage. These scammers are charging for an energy audit or the energy saving device, which is a scam. SECO offers energy audits to its members free of charge, sign up for online or call SECO to request an energy audit.
Another scam is aimed directly at your wallet. The scammer calls, gives a name and identifies himself or herself as a SECO employee. The scammer notifies the member of a past due bill and demands payment immediately. The scammer wants the member to either give out their credit card information over the phone or to meet them at a location and pay cash. Be especially cautious if a company representative asks to meet at a location away from the company office.
As a reminder to members, all SECO employees carry company-issued identification – don’t hesitate to ask to see an employee’s identification.
Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services asks members and the public to spread the word of these scams to their friends and family. “In our area we have a large concentration of senior citizens who scammers think are vulnerable to their tricks. We continue to publish details of these scams to warn members in hopes of combating the scammers efforts to defraud others. If you are a victim of a scam, please make a report to the proper authorities, this is the first step in stopping these crooks.”
If you receive a call that you believe may be a scam, hang up immediately and call SECO at 1-800-732-6141 and speak to a Member Support Associate. Members can manage their account safely online at www.secoenergy.com. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
