Last Updated on March 26, 2015 6:43 pm
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is warning the public about a telephone scam targeting members.
Several cooperative members reported today that they received a call from a person claiming to be with Blue Ridge Electric. The caller demanded immediate payment over the telephone and threatened to disconnect their electricity if the member didn’t comply.
Fortunately, the members hung up and called their local Blue Ridge Electric office to check their account status.
The cooperative warns members to be aware of this type of fraudulent activity and to take steps to protect their identity and money. The following tips are may help avoid falling victim to a scam:
- If someone calls asking for immediate payment on your electric bill, don't give out any personal information! This includes your Blue Ridge Electric account number, your banking information, social security number or any other personal information.
- Immediately call Blue Ridge Electric at a number you know to belong to the cooperative. Don't trust a telephone number a caller gives you. Instead, keep your local cooperative number handy: Caldwell: 828-754-9071; Watauga: 828-264-8894; Ashe: 336-846-7138; Alleghany: 336-372-4646 or toll free: 800-451-5474.
- If you get a suspicious phone call, contact Blue Ridge Electric any time of the day or night to check your account status.
- You can also set up secure access to your account at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
- Always report fraudulent calls to your local law enforcement authority as well as to Blue Ridge Electric.
Blue Ridge Electric serves some 74,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Alexander and Wilkes counties. For more information, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com or call a local Blue Ridge Electric office.
