Homer Electric Association has received reports from area businesses regarding suspicious phone calls, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
According to HEA, he fraudulent caller impersonates a utility representative and requests payment for the customer’s supposed past due bill and threatens immediate disconnection of electric service if the bill is not paid. The goal of the scammers is to obtain credit card numbers or other financial information.
HEA representatives say that if a suspicious phone call is received, HEA members should end the phone call and contact Homer Electric for verification and to check the account status.
Homer Electric has a protocol for contacting members which includes advanced notification prior to a phone call and the cooperative does not threaten to cut off power immediately.
Never give anyone your personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card number unless you initiated the conversation and you are confident the transaction is legitimate.
If you have questions or need additional information, contact HEA at 1-800-478-8551.
— Staff report
