Carroll Electric Warns of Phone Scam
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: August 17, 2012
Carroll Electric Company is warning their customers of a possible phone scam.
The company says some were contacted this week by callers claiming to be with "your electric company." The caller, who spoke Spanish, advised the customer of an alleged past due bill and offered to take payment for the past due amount over the phone through credit card or other bank account information.
"Carroll Electric Cooperative warns all customers, regardless of their power company, to be alert to this scam and never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call to your electric company," advised the company.
They are thanking those contacted by the scammer alerted Carroll Electrics
How do you avoid getting caught in a similar scam? The electric provider offers these tips:
"Be skeptical of any caller asking you for personal information. You can confirm the identity of the caller by asking to call them back and getting their name and phone number. Then, immediately provide this information to your power company who will have accurate information on the status of your account," offered Nancy Plagge, Director of Corporate Communications.
Carroll Electric Cooperative does have a practice of initiating a courtesy call to its customers when a bill becomes past due and subject to disconnect. However, the Cooperative does not offer to take care of the bill during the call unless the customer initiates and directs the customer service representative to assist them with an electronic payment over the phone.
The company says some were contacted this week by callers claiming to be with "your electric company." The caller, who spoke Spanish, advised the customer of an alleged past due bill and offered to take payment for the past due amount over the phone through credit card or other bank account information.
"Carroll Electric Cooperative warns all customers, regardless of their power company, to be alert to this scam and never give out personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call to your electric company," advised the company.
They are thanking those contacted by the scammer alerted Carroll Electrics
How do you avoid getting caught in a similar scam? The electric provider offers these tips:
"Be skeptical of any caller asking you for personal information. You can confirm the identity of the caller by asking to call them back and getting their name and phone number. Then, immediately provide this information to your power company who will have accurate information on the status of your account," offered Nancy Plagge, Director of Corporate Communications.
Carroll Electric Cooperative does have a practice of initiating a courtesy call to its customers when a bill becomes past due and subject to disconnect. However, the Cooperative does not offer to take care of the bill during the call unless the customer initiates and directs the customer service representative to assist them with an electronic payment over the phone.
