Bluebonnet Electric Members Report New Tactic in Attempted Phone Payment Scams

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have reported a recent increase in attempted phone scams. The fraudulent callers typically tell members their power will be disconnected unless they make an immediate payment over the phone. Some scammers have claimed that Austin Energy has bought or merged with Bluebonnet, and that the Bluebonnet member must pay $250 for a new meter.

Bluebonnet is a memberowned electric cooperative. It has not merged with or been bought by Austin Energy, the City of Austin’s electric utility, or any other electric utility. If contacted by phone by someone claiming Bluebonnet has merged with or been bought by another utility, Bluebonnet members should not pay any fee related to a new meter or meter change.

Nor does Bluebonnet call members to demand immediate payment. Bluebonnet makes at least two attempts to remind its members with delinquent accounts – once by mail and again by a courtesy phone call – within 10 days after their payment’s due date.

If a Bluebonnet member has not received a reminder in the mail or a courtesy call about their account, and someone claiming to represent Bluebonnet calls demanding an immediate payment, do not pay, and do not provide the caller with personal information or Bluebonnet, banking or credit card account information.

“The key to stopping and not falling victim to scams like these is to be aware of them and to know your Bluebonnet account status,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manger.

Bluebonnet members can check their account status 24 hours a day, every day from their computer, smartphone or tablet through the co-op’s website, bluebonnet.coop, via the cooperative’s mobile app or by calling (800) 842-7708.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 119,000 meters, and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.