REMC Advises of Utility Scam
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The criminals have been marching across the country, making their way from state to state, persuading victims that a special federal government assistance program - sometimes described as a bailout authorized by President Barack Obama's administration - is available to pay their utility bills.
Victims are given bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after they "register" by surrendering their Social Security numbers and other personal information.
There is no such utility payment assistance program. But electricity users seem to be falling for the ruse everywhere, making it in one of the more successful scams in recent times.
For those who receive a phone call from a person representing themselves as a Kosciusko REMC employee and suspect it is a scam, REMC advises to hang up.
A press release from REMCS states “Do not give the caller any personal information. Be especially protective of your social security number, bank and credit card numbers, and driver’s license number.”
The release continued “Legitimate companies will not call or email you asking for your account number or password, so keep your account information to yourself, You should also not assume that you can trust caller ID to let you know where a caller is located. Because scammers may use Internet calling technology, the area code you see may not reflect where they really are.”
People who receive such phone calls are asked to take the person's name, then hang up and call Kosciusko REMC’s main line at 574-267-6331 to verify the call.
If someone appears at a residence claiming to represent Kosciusko REMC, call 574-267-6331 to verify the visit.
REMC advised to never let anyone into a home unless for a scheduled appointment or unless the person has proper identification.
The Kosciusko REMC logo should appear on hardhats, shirts, and vehicles.
Anyone suspecting that a person is impersonating a Kosciusko REMC employee, do not let them in and call the police immediately.
Co-op members should be aware and know that these phone calls or door-to-door visits are not valid.
Members can safely make payments though Kosciusko REMC’s website or by calling 574-267-6631.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
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The criminals have been marching across the country, making their way from state to state, persuading victims that a special federal government assistance program - sometimes described as a bailout authorized by President Barack Obama's administration - is available to pay their utility bills.
Victims are given bank account and routing numbers to use when paying their bills online, but only after they "register" by surrendering their Social Security numbers and other personal information.
There is no such utility payment assistance program. But electricity users seem to be falling for the ruse everywhere, making it in one of the more successful scams in recent times.
For those who receive a phone call from a person representing themselves as a Kosciusko REMC employee and suspect it is a scam, REMC advises to hang up.
A press release from REMCS states “Do not give the caller any personal information. Be especially protective of your social security number, bank and credit card numbers, and driver’s license number.”
The release continued “Legitimate companies will not call or email you asking for your account number or password, so keep your account information to yourself, You should also not assume that you can trust caller ID to let you know where a caller is located. Because scammers may use Internet calling technology, the area code you see may not reflect where they really are.”
People who receive such phone calls are asked to take the person's name, then hang up and call Kosciusko REMC’s main line at 574-267-6331 to verify the call.
If someone appears at a residence claiming to represent Kosciusko REMC, call 574-267-6331 to verify the visit.
REMC advised to never let anyone into a home unless for a scheduled appointment or unless the person has proper identification.
The Kosciusko REMC logo should appear on hardhats, shirts, and vehicles.
Anyone suspecting that a person is impersonating a Kosciusko REMC employee, do not let them in and call the police immediately.
Co-op members should be aware and know that these phone calls or door-to-door visits are not valid.
Members can safely make payments though Kosciusko REMC’s website or by calling 574-267-6631.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
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