Central Electric Co-Op warns of scam calls

Several Central Electric Cooperative members received fraudulent phone calls Tuesday from scam artists attempting to obtain money by threatening an imminent termination of their service.

CEC said it is advising its members that such calls are not legitimate and that any member receiving such a call should not to provide any financial or personal information to the callers.

When a Central Electric member’s account is past due, CEC provides two written notices before it calls to alert the member that their service is to be disconnected.

Once such a call is made, it is to notify the member that his or her service will be disconnected the following day, thereby providing the member time to make payment arrangements.

Members have several options available, including visiting one of CEC’s offices the following day, to make payment before service is terminated.

Any member receiving such a call should not provide credit card or bank information, and should call Central Electric at 541.548.2144 and speak to a representative to discuss their account and address any problems, should any exist.

Reports from other utilities in Oregon indicate that the scam callers give the consumer a few hours to call back with the numbers necessary for payment with a pre-paid credit card, rather than the consumer’s regular card.

If any member has been contacted and made a payment, they should contact local law enforcement officials.