JOHNSON — Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is warning consumers about a telephone scam that preys on utility customers. Like other cooperatives across the country, VEC has received reports from customers who are being contacted by scammers asking for credit card information.
The scam involves a phone call to a consumer by a perpetrator posing as a VEC employee seeking immediate payment for service. Consumers are threatened with having service disconnected within 30 minutes unless they make a credit card payment by phone.
VEC does not make calls to customers seeking personal data like credit card account numbers, and is reminding customers to be suspicious of calls asking for any type of payment information. If a suspicious call is received, customers should hang up and contact their local law enforcement agency.
“If you have any doubts, we ask that you call VEC directly to verify if the call is legitimate,” said CEO Dave Hallquist.
The number is 1-800-832-2667.
“We’ve received reports of criminals taking advantage of utility customers in other states. Unfortunately, we’re learning that Vermont is being targeted, as well.”
