Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
H
MAY 2023
T WATTS
Beware of Utility Scammers Once again, our members have recently been targeted • Do not respond to any questions, especially those by scammers. These criminals continue trying to find that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.” ways to steal money from not only our members but other • Never give out personal information such as account utility customers as well. We have recently seen a new numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s tactic by scammers who call members and tell them they maiden names, passwords, or other identifying have overpaid on their accounts. Scammers then request information in response to unexpected calls or if the member’s banking or credit card information so the you are at all suspicious. overpayment can be deposited back into the member’s • If you get an inquiry from someone who says they account. This is nothing more than represent a company or a government an attempt to illegally access one’s agency, hang up and call the phone financial accounts. Please remember, number on your account statement, in To make their attempts at scamming the phone book, or on the company’s Cookson Hills more believable, scammers also use a or government agency’s website technique called “Spoofing”. Spoofing to verify the authenticity of the Electric will not is the masking of phone numbers request. You will usually get a written call and ask showing up on your caller ID display. statement in the mail before you get a you to make a Scammers use spoofing so it appears phone call from a legitimate source, that an incoming call is coming from particularly if the caller is asking for payment with a a local number, or a number from a payment. representative company or government agency that • Use caution if you are being during the phone you may already know and trust. If pressured for information immediately. you answer, they use scam scripts to Please remember, Cookson Hills call. try to steal your money or valuable Electric will not call and ask you to personal information, which can make a payment with a representative be used in fraudulent activity. The during the phone call. Members can Federal Communications Commission suggests the make a payment by phone through our automated bill following tips to avoid scams: payment system by calling 888-678-1937. If you receive • If you answer the phone and the caller - or a a call from us and are in doubt about the legitimacy of recording - asks you to hit a button to stop getting the call, please don’t hesitate to hang up and give us a the calls, you should just hang up. Scammers often call at 800-328-2368. use this trick to identify potential targets.
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