Beware of Scams

Reports are coming in from around the country that heartless scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to trick consumers, taking their hard-earned savings. We don’t want these criminals to take advantage of our consumer-members, so please use caution.

Watch for these Red Flags

• The caller claims to be a PRECO employee and threatens to disconnect your electric service unless payment is made immediately.
• The caller demands that you meet them away from PRECO’s office and pay overdue bills in cash.
• The caller instructs you to buy a “Green Dot” or other prepaid debit card from a local store, and then call back to give the card’s confirmation number.
• The caller asks for your personal information, including date of birth, address, account number or credit card/debit card number.

Authentic Contact by PRECO

A PRECO employee will not contact you directly to collect payment over the phone. PRECO’s automated calling system is used to notify members of a past due account.

When on your property, all PRECO employees are in uniform, carry an ID badge and drive a vehicle marked with the PRECO logo.

Don’t Do This

Don’t rely on caller-ID, even if it says the call is from PRECO or appears to be a local number. Scammers can easily “spoof” this information to make it appear that the call is coming from PRECO.

Do This

If a caller threatens disconnection, hang up and call PRECO immediately at 800-282-3824. If someone shows up at your door demanding on-the-spot bill payment, lock the door and call us. This simple trick beats the scammers every time.

Contact local law enforcement too, so they can warn others.

Don’t be a utility scam victim.