J.C. Derrick
Clay Electric Cooperative is again warning its members to beware of scam calls demanding payment for fraudulent bills.
In a Wednesday statement Clay Electric said it has received reports of calls from someone claiming to work for Clay Electric. The person demands payment for allegedly overdue bills and threatens to cut off the customer’s power.
“If someone calls claiming they’re with the power company and they need payment of a delinquent bill today, that is a big red flag,” said Clay Electric’s Bruce McHollan, director of the co-op’s information and communication technology department. “If you are at all suspicious of someone claiming they’re with the power company and payment must be made today, hang up and call Clay Electric at 800-224-4917.”
While urging its members to exercise caution, Clay Electric said it does not collect overdue bills the way the scammers are doing it. Instead, the co-op issues a letter and automated reminder call.
“We urge our members to ignore suspicious requests for personal information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, user names and passwords, or Social Security numbers,” said Derick Thomas, Clay Electric’s director public relations. “Members should not share confidential personal information over the phone.”
Clay Electric has reported problems with scammers before—both through phone calls and flyers delivered in the mail.
Clay Electric Cooperative serves roughly 183,000 residents in 14 North Florida counties, including Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, Suwannee and Union.