SEQUACHEE VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE WARNS MEMBERS OF ACTIVE PHONE SCAM TARGETING LOCAL BUSINESSES
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) has issued an urgent warning to its members—particularly small business owners—regarding a deceptive phone scam currently active in their service area.
Scammers are actively calling customers and using high-pressure tactics, falsely claiming that:
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Electricity will be disconnected immediately unless urgent action is taken.
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SVEC has recently implemented a new billing system.
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The cooperative no longer accepts checks for payments exceeding $1,500.
SVEC confirms that all of these claims are completely false. The fraudsters rely on threats of immediate shut-off to manufacture a false sense of urgency, coercing victims into handing over sensitive personal information or sending fraudulent payments.
Recommended Safety Steps
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Hang Up Immediately: If you receive a suspicious call threatening disconnection, terminate the call right away.
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Protect Your Information: Never share payment details, account numbers, or personal information over the phone with callers claiming to be from the utility.
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Verify Directly: If you have any concerns regarding the status of your account, contact your local SVEC office directly using a trusted, official phone number rather than calling back the number provided by the caller.
Cooperative officials urge the community to remain vigilant and help spread awareness by sharing this warning with family, friends, and fellow local business owners. When in doubt, hang up and call SVEC directly.
