Consumer Protection Week is March 3-9

Fayette Electric Cooperative is joining Utilities United Against Scams in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s annual National Consumer Protection Week. Utility impostor scammers pretend to represent electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utilities to steal customers’ money and personal information. Members who suspect they have been contacted by a scammer should alert Fayette Electric Cooperative and their local law enforcement.

Here are general tips to avoid being scammed:

• Protect personal information: Never provide personal information, including your date of birth, to anyone who initiates contact with you, claiming to be a utility company representative. They may ask you to confirm this information if you contact them first, but they will never initiate contact with you asking for this information.

• Take your time: If a payment request is unexpected or seems suspicious, end the conversation, and contact Fayette Electric Cooperative using the verified phone number on a recent bill or the cooperative’s website to check the true status of your account.

• Only make payments through a verified phone number or website.