Beware of ongoing telephone scam!

The FBI has shared information about scammers impersonating power companies claiming the individual receiving the call owe $1k + in utility bills.  The scammer then directs the individual to obtain cryptocurrency to pay their bill. 

There are several potential indicators that may assist members in recognizing perpetrators attempting to defraud them under the guise of their electric coop (these indicators should be observed in context and not individually, as no one indicator is determinative of illicit activity):

• Calls from energy companies instructing customers to pay via cryptocurrency (MJM Electric does not accept any forms of cryptocurrency),
• Calls from energy companies instructing customers to travel to specific locations to pay a bill,
• Energy companies requesting payment of a bill that does not match recipient’s balance and asking for payment via a specific platform or method, and
• When using an established company phone number, the inability to reach the person from which the communication was relayed.