BEWARE OF SCAM ARTISTS

The electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) in Georgia, including Grady EMC, are warning members to be wary of imposters who have manufactured another telephone scam in order to obtain personal information.

In the latest scheme, the thieves contact EMC members, informing victims that the government is paying $350 towards the electric bill of senior citizens. The fraudulent caller claims that in order to process the check, he or she needs social security numbers and EMC account numbers.

If the scam artist obtains this information, including credit card numbers, he or she will call the EMC member a few minutes later to "verify" the information in an attempt to defray suspicion and give the scammers more time to use the data to make fraudulent purchases.

 
Sadly, utilities and members have already been victims. Earlier this year, thieves contacted members by phone, informing victims that their electric bill was past due and that an urgent credit card payment was needed to avoid loss of service within 24 hours.

 
If a member suspects a caller is fraudulent, Grady EMC recommends trying to write down the incoming phone number using caller ID. If anyone has been the victim of this scheme, or has any information leading to possible suspects, they are asked to contact Grady EMC and their local law enforcement agency.