Protect yourself against utility scammers by knowing your local electric cooperative’s phone number and using it to call a member service professional to verify the validity of a request you suspect is an energy scam. PHOTO COURTESY TOUCHSTONE ENERGY® COOPERATIVES
Electric cooperatives across the country are urging members to stay alert as utility-related scams continue to evolve. Fraudsters are becoming more aggressive and more convincing – using impersonation, false urgency and digital deception to extract payments or personal information.
Reports of scam calls, fake energy rebate offers and phony disconnection threats have increased in recent years. These schemes often begin with a phone call, text or visit from someone claiming to represent the local electric provider. The tactics vary, but the goal is always the same: to pressure members into acting quickly before they have time to verify the request.
Some scammers demand immediate payment, threatening your service will be shut off within minutes. Others offer too-good-to-be-true incentives like rebates, energy audits or free equipment installations, if the member provides banking information or pays an upfront fee. Scammers can even manipulate caller ID to appear as though the call is coming from a local number.
North Dakota’s electric cooperatives will never call and demand immediate payment. They will never ask for banking or account information over the phone, nor will they pressure a member to act without the opportunity to verify the situation. If someone claiming to be from your cooperative insists on urgency or payment through nontraditional means, that’s a red flag.
These scams can arrive in the form of emails, text messages or QR codes designed to look like real payment portals. Typically, the links redirect to fraudulent websites that steal sensitive data. The scammers may also encourage members to pay through untraceable methods like prepaid debit cards, mobile apps, or cryptocurrency – methods legitimate utilities never use.
One concerning trend seen in other parts of the country involves scammers visiting homes unannounced, posing as utility workers conducting inspections or installations. Without proper identification or appointment confirmation, these visits should always be treated with caution.
Education and awareness remain two of the most powerful tools in this fight. Members are encouraged to talk with family, friends and neighbors about the warning signs of scams. Report potential electric utility scams to your local electric cooperative, which can warn the membership and other cooperatives. Sharing information helps others stay safe and contributes to a stronger, more connected community.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to hang up, close the message or refuse entry. Call your cooperative directly using the number listed on your monthly bill or on the official website. Member service professionals are available to assist.
Electric cooperatives were built on trust, service and community. By working together and looking out for one another, members and cooperatives alike can help expose fraud for what it is – and ensure scammers are left in the dark.
