BLUEBONNET MEMBERS REPORT INCREASE IN PHONE-PAYMENT SCAM ATTEMPTS

  

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have recently reported an increase in attempted phone scams.

Bluebonnet says the fraudulent callers are claiming to represent Bluebonnet and telling co-op members their power will be disconnected within 30 minutes unless they make an immediate payment over the phone.

Bluebonnet General Manager Matt Bentke says these forms of attempted scams increase around the holiday season, and that the key to stopping them is to be aware of them and for members to know their account status.

The cooperative makes at least two attempts to remind its members whose payments are late within 10 days after the payment due date on the bill, once by mail and email, and again by courtesy phone call.  The call comes from the co-op’s automated phone system.

Any Bluebonnet member who has not received a reminder in the mail or email or a courtesy call about their account and is contacted by someone demanding immediate payment should not pay.  They also should not provide the caller with any personal, account, banking or credit card information.  All potential scam attempts should be reported to Bluebonnet and local law enforcement.

Bluebonnet members can check their account status through the co-op’s website, www.bluebonnet.coop, through the co-op’s mobile app, or by calling 800-842-7708.