Beware of Utility Scammers
Once again, our members have recently been targeted by scammers. These criminals continue trying to find ways to steal money from not only our members but other utility customers as well. We have recently seen a new tactic by scammers who call members and tell them they have overpaid on their accounts. Scammers then request the member’s banking or credit card information so the overpayment can be deposited back into the member’s account. This is nothing more than an attempt to illegally access one’s financial accounts.
To make their attempts at scamming more believable, scammers also use a technique called “Spoofing”. Spoofing is the masking of phone numbers showing up on your caller ID display. Scammers use spoofing so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number, or a number from a company or government agency that you may already know and trust. If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity. The Federal Communications Commission suggests the following tips to avoid scams:
• If you answer the phone and the caller - or a recording - asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.
• Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.”
• Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords, or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious.
• If you get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book, or on the company’s or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request. You will usually get a written statement in the mail before you get a phone call from a legitimate source, particularly if the caller is asking for payment.
• Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately. Please remember, Cookson Hills Electric will not call and ask you to make a payment with a representative during the phone call. Members can make a payment by phone through our automated bill payment system by calling 888-678-1937. If you receive a call from us and are in doubt about the legitimacy of the call, please don’t hesitate to hang up and give us a call at 800-328-2368.
WATTS INSIDE Concern for Community >> page 2 Scholarship recipients announced! >> page 3 MAY 2023 Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Please remember, Cookson Hills Electric will not call and ask you to make a payment with a representative during the phone call.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368
Branch Office
PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive
Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211
Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com
Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Ogle, President District 6
Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1
Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7
Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2
John Dillard, Trustee District 3
Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4
Mike Rose, Trustee District 5
STAFF
Juli Orme, General Manager
Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer
Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler
Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw
Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services
Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services
Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer
Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development
Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
Concern for Community
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first. Cooperative principle number seven is Concern for Community. Employees from Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative had a great time helping clean up Roye Park in Stigler. We are grateful to live in this area of Oklahoma, and we love the opportunity to participate in events to help the communities we serve.
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)
2 | May 2023
From left: Juli Orme, Michele Nelson, Colton “Flex” Sweeden, David Bumpers, Huck Wixom, Lakin Bass, Brandon Johnson, Cody Gray, John Henry Parsons, Jeremy Stubblefield.
Scholarships, Scholarships and More Scholarships
Congratulations to the Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative Youth Tour Scholarship recipients.
These eight talented junior students earned over $19,000 in scholarships and winnings. Students from 13 different high schools were invited to write an essay about cooperatives as the first part of the scholarship application. The submitted essays were then judged and narrowed down to the top finalists. The finalists then participated in an individual interview session where ultimately, four finalists were chosen as the top applicants.
The top four finalists include Katie Moore, Jathan Brockman, Darryl White and Luke Hallum who each won a $1,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. [2660702]
The other finalists, Kelsey Davis, Ariel Ballinger, Rayne Davis and Emily Pack each won a $250 scholarship.
Congratulations to each of these outstanding students!
www.cooksonhills.com | 3 New zones open now! Substation Feeder 1 – STI 1 2 – ENT 4 4 – TEN 1, 2 5 – SAL 1, 2, 3, 4 6 – MUL 1, 2, 3, 4 12 – NIC 1, 2, 3 13 – VIA 1, 2, 3, 4 14 – LIB 1, 2 15 – AKI 1, 2, 3 Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.
Back Row – L to R: Katie Moore – Vian High School, Jathan Brockman – Vian High School, Luke Hallum –Muldrow High School
In observance of Memorial Day, CHEC offices will be closed Monday, May 29. Please call 800-328-2368 to report a power outage or safety hazard.
Front Row – L to R: Kelsey Davis – Gans High School, Ariel Ballinger – Gans High School, Darryl White –Stigler High School, Rayne Davis – Muldrow High School, Emily Pack – Sallisaw High School
Join
A Safe, Happy House
Four Easy Ways to Boost Electrical Safety at Home
Saturday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m. at Sallisaw High School gymnasium. More details to come.
DON’T place flammable items, like potholders, napkins or dish towels near the stove while cooking.
DO ensure you’re using the correct wattage in all light fixtures.
May
DO keep electrical devices away from water to prevent electric shock.
DON’T overload electrical outlets with more devices than the circuit can handle.
us for our Annual Meeting
spring with SmartHub! Scan this code with your smartphone’s camera to download CHEC’s SmartHub app!
is National Electrical Safety Month. COOKSONHILLS COOPERATIVEELECTRIC Monitor your energy use this
