Staff report 

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is warning members of a phone scam where impostors posing as cooperative employees are attempting to collect payment. The same impostors are also reportedly threatening to disconnect service if payment is not made. 

According to a press release on the PEC website, member services agents report the scam appears to target business owners.

Tactics used by scammers including PEC members receiving phone calls that come from a California number. Scammers are also using the tactic of telling members they are calling for PEC and the member was mailed a letter about problems with their account. The scammer then asks members to provide payment to avoid disconnection, according to the press release. 

Scammers will also tell members to go to Office Max and get a RELOADIT card and call back to pay past due amounts, or instructs members not to call any other PEC number to make a payment. 

If scammers don’t hear back from a member, a different individual will call the member and tell them a technician will come out to disconnect the meter, according to the release. 

PEC is asking for members to be wary when contacted by someone claiming to represent them. PEC said they use an automated system to make recorded courtesy calls to members regarding their accounts. 

If a member receives a call from someone claiming to be a PEC employee, they are asked to verify the call by contacting PEC toll-free at 1-888-554-4732, which is the phone number printed on member’s bill. 

Anyone who has information about this scam or thinks they have been a victim should contact their local law enforcement agency or the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.