Stay Alert for Scammers
We have all been there. A person showing up at our door, or a phone call, text message or email from someone posing as a utility company employee and using fraudulent methods to attempt to obtain funds or personal information.
To help raise awareness of these scams, the Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) has declared Nov. 13 to 19 as Scam Awareness Week.
Signs of a potential scam:
The impostors may call or show up at your door and say they are from the utility company.
Scammers may tell you that your utility bill is past due and will threaten to disconnect service if a payment is not made.
There is a process involved with shutting off a customer’s power for nonpayment. You will have advanced notice that you are behind on your bill and opportunities to make a payment or set up a payment plan before the service is disconnected. Scammers like to create a sense of urgency and fear by giving an unreasonable amount of time to pay large sums of money to avoid termination.
You may be asked to pay immediately via purchasing a prepaid card or sending funds through a mobile app to pay your bill.
No real utility company will ever ask or demand a consumer to pay with anything other than direct forms of payment like a bank account or credit card.
You may be told somebody is offering lower rates; when they do not know your current rate.
You may receive a cold call asking to verify personal information.
If you receive a cold call from anyone asking to verify private information like your account numbers/balances, Social Security number, date of birth, etc., hang up and call 800-804-7424. Santee Cooper will never reach out to someone and ask for personal information.
A great way to stay informed about your Santee Cooper account is by signing up for our online self-service app and online portal, My Energy Link (MEL) . As a registered user, you can log in 24/7 to view your balance, make secured payments, review your account history, and set up bill notifications. This is a Santee Cooper tool that can help put your mind at ease if you are ever in a situation where you think you are being scammed.
At Santee Cooper, we pride ourselves on protecting our customers and your personal identifiable information. Help us protect you by staying informed and staying vigilant.
For more than 90 years, Santee Cooper has been serving the people of South Carolina. The utility is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.