Protect your identity
October 14, 2009

Scammers are popping up across the country, scaring cooperative members into giving them personal information and money. ECE has been notified by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, ECE's national affiliate, that there are two versions of a scam being used today. One is where the caller says the member owes on his/her account and will have services shut off unless payment information is provided immediately. The goal of the scammer is to gain credit card information. The other appears aimed more specifically at seniors. The caller claims the person can receive federal stimulus dollars to pay his/her utility bills or will receive a bill credit if the consumer first provides his/her personal information (e.g. Social Security Number, date of birth, and utility account number).

ECE has stringent policies to ensure the security of the members' personal data and adheres to all Red Flag identity theft prevention rules. Therefore, it is not our practice to ask a member for critical personal information in a phone call we have initiated. All disconnect notices are sent through the mail to the member or involve personal visits. If you have any questions regarding ECE payment and disconnect policies, please call us at 1-800-254-7944.

Below is a link to the Federal Trade Commission's Web site for tips on protecting your identity:
www.ftc.gov/idtheft