Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association reminds members not to give out their banking information over the phone after reports of individuals calling members saying they need to pay immediately or face disconnection of power.
Leif Munkel, marketing, communications and member services manager, said Tuesday that this scam has been around for years.
On Monday, the PRVEPA social media page (@MyPRVEPA), a post was made saying: “We are getting reports of a scam targeting PRVEPA members. A caller threatens to disconnect members unless they pay their bill over the phone with a credit card. Please refrain from giving out personal or banking/payment information over the phone.”
Munkel said, “Unfortunately, for the last several years, there has been a scam where individuals pose as employees of power companies and threaten to turn a member’s power off if they don’t pay. I want our members to know that we don’t call and threaten to disconnect power. As a rule, don’t give out your personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers or banking information to anyone you don’t know.”
Another issue PRVEPA is currently facing is solar panel companies going door to door to its members, saying they are working for the power association. While the association does work some with solar companies, it has not partnered or affiliated itself with any solar power company.
