OTEC member-owners report scam calls

NORTHEAST OREGON(Release by OTEC)-Have you, or someone you know, ever been scammed? Every day, someone falls victim to a scammer. Scammers are people who try to deceive others into giving them money or personal information. Modern scammers will use deception and lies to try to scare people into making impulsive decisions.

Recently, OTEC member-owners reported receiving calls in which the caller claimed to be with the electric company and needed to verify information in order to send a refund. Thankfully, the member-owner recognized it as an attempted scam when the caller began asking for account numbers and credit card information.

Remember, scammers are relentless, don’t get fooled! Always stop, think and check before you act.

OTEC will NOT call you and demand payment, nor will we call you to ask for your information. Your local co-op will already have your relevant personal and account information.

If you are unsure if a caller is really with the company they claim: hang up and call the company directly (look up the real business number, do not trust the number who called you).

At OTEC, we know that behind every electric meter is a member-owner who is our neighbor, our friend, or our relative. We want all of us to stay safe from scammers who look to steal your hard-earned money.

If you receive a call which you think is a scammer, please report it to the business the caller claimed to represent as well as to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov

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