February 2017 Be alert to phone scams Continued from Page 1


lows crooks to display what ap - caller IDs. The caller threatens to cut off power if the customer doesn’t pay. But here’s the giveaway: The crook will demand payment via a pre- paid debit card or money order. And


frame – often an hour or less. The scammer may even quote an amount that sounds like your typical monthly bill. That way, the threat has even more credibility.


Scammers might direct the cus-


sells the prepaid cards and instruct the customer to put money on the card and provide the card number to the scammer.


Some scammers have even been bold enough to contact potential vic- tims in person, coming to the mem- ber’s house.


Here are some tips on how to pro- tect yourself:


• Do not assume that the name and number on your caller ID are legiti-


mate. Caller IDs can be spoofed.


• NEVER share your personal in- formation, including date of birth, Social Security number or banking account information.


• NEVER wire money to someone you don’t know.


• Do not click links or call numbers in unexpected emails or texts – especially those asking for your account information.


• Most utilities will NOT require their customers to purchase prepaid debit cards or money orders to avoid an immediate disconnection.


• If you receive a call that sounds like it may be a scam, or if you believe the call is a scam, hang up, call the police and report the incident to your local utility.


Tracy Warren writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Asso- ciation, the Arlington, Virginia-based service arm of the


cooperatives.


What’s Cookin’ in the SWRE Kitchen Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies


1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 egg


1 egg yolk


2 cups semisweet chocolate chips Directions


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.


and salt; set aside.


3. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk un- til light and creamy. Mix in the sifted


ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.


4. Bake 15-17 minutes in the pre- heated oven, or until the edges are slightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.


SWRE News


Joe Wynn, SWRE News editor Board of Trustees


Dan White, Pres. ................ District 7 Don Ellis, Vice Pres. ........... District 1 Don Proctor, Sec. ............... District 3 Dan Lambert ....................... District 2 Ray Walker ......................... District 4 Dan Elsener ........................ District 5 Ronnie Swan ...................... District 6 Carl Brockriede ................... District 8 Jimmy Holland .................... District 9


Southwest Rural Electric Assn. P.O. Box 310


700 North Broadway Tipton, OK 73570-0310 1-800-256-7973


SWRE News is published monthly for distribution to members of South- west Rural Electric Association. SWRE is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


24-Hour Dispatching


Emergency Service


1-800-256-7973


Payments can be made at SWRE, 700 North Broadway, Tipton, OK 73570.


Online payments can be


made at www.swre.com or utilizing the SWRE app for phones and tablets. Payments may also be made at the following area banking institutions:


Oklahoma


Altus – Frazier Bank, National Bank of Commerce


Blair – Peoples State Bank Snyder – All American Bank Frederick – BancFirst, Frazier Bank


Texas


Chillicothe – American National Bank


Crowell – State Bank Electra – Waggoner National Bank


Vernon – Herring Bank, Waggoner Bank, Bank of the West


NOTE: When paying at a bank, allow 7-10 days prior to the bill’s due date.


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