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There has been a rise of scammers targeting electric utility consumers and demanding immediate electric bill payment. Protecting your personal information is important to us, and we want to remind you of some simple tips to help you do the same.

Utilities United Against ScamsCarteret-Craven Electric Co-op will never call you to demand payment on very short notice. In fact, you should be suspicious of anyone that calls you and asks you to get a prepaid credit card, or to wire them money electronically to pay your electric bill.

If at any time you are suspicious of a caller claiming to be from the co-op, hang up and contact us directly at 252-247-3107 or 1-800-682-2217. Don't call them back on the number they give you.

How do these scammers work?

You should be aware of scams that involve criminals posing as CCEC representatives and demanding immediate payment or personal information.

Scammers are:

  • Impersonating employees over the phone, in-person, or by other means.
  • Threatening to disconnect or suspend utility service if immediate payment is not received.

  • Targeting vulnerable demographics, including senior citizens and non-native English speaking persons.

  • Using advanced tactics, such as playing a telephone recording that sounds like us.

What should you do?

  1. Do not give the caller or visitor a prepaid card, a wire transfer, or any other form of payment that may be difficult for law enforcement officials to trace.

  2. Hang up the phone and call us at 252-247-3107 or 1-800-682-2217.

  3. REPORT IT. Contact your local law enforcement agency. Contact the NC Attorney General at http://www.ncdoj.com/Consumer.aspx or call toll free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226). Contact the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).