BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC ALERTING MEMBERS OF NEW, INCREASED SCAM ATTEMPTS

  

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is warning members of a recent increase in attempted scams.

The cooperative says scammers are posing as Bluebonnet representatives both in-person and over the phone, making false claims about account issues and high billing errors.  They are also claiming to sell solar energy systems.

According to Bluebonnet, scammers are visiting members’ homes claiming to represent the cooperative, demanding payment to correct errors that caused high monthly electric bills and asking for information about members’ electric bills.  They also offer solar energy systems so that homeowners will not have to pay an electric bill.

Meanwhile, fraudulent callers are telling members their power will be disconnected unless they make an immediate payment over the phone.

Bluebonnet states that employees will never come to a member’s home to request account information, discuss a bill or ask for immediate payment.  Bluebonnet employees wear uniforms with the cooperative’s name and logo, and Bluebonnet vehicles have the co-op’s logo on their doors.  Employees for Bluebonnet’s contractors wear their company’s uniform and drive vehicles with their company’s name and a decal identifying them as a Bluebonnet contractor. 

If a Bluebonnet member has not received a reminder in the mail or a courtesy phone call about their account, and someone claiming to represent the co-op calls or visits to demand immediate payment, they are urged to not pay and avoid providing the caller with any personal, banking or credit card information.  They are asked to obtain as much information as possible about the caller or visitor, including their caller ID information or license plate, and report it to local law enforcement.  They are also encouraged to contact Bluebonnet Member Services at 800-842-7708.