| safety wise SCAM ALERT


Don’t be fooled! Your co-op never makes calls demanding payments or threatens to disconnect service.


C


hoctaw Electric is warning members about scams being perpetrated on utility consumers.


Scams on rate payers are a growing problem in the U.S. The scams usually begin with a telephone call that warns you that your account balance is overdue and your service is scheduled for immediate cut off.


The consumer is instructed to provide payment by purchasing a money card from a local store, and then giving that card number to the caller. Some scammers ask for the victim’s credit card information.


In more sophisticated scams, callers are able to “spoof” the actual utility number so the call appears on Caller I.D. as the victim’s legitimate utility. Some scammers leave messages asking the consumer to call them back. If the consumer calls that number, the automated answering system sounds very much like the consumer’s utility, however, any option the consumer chooses delivers them to a real person who tries to get a payment.


Scam attempts have been reported at neighboring co-ops in Texas and at numerous electric co- ops throughout Oklahoma.


your electric bill! $5Off .00 Suspect A Scam?


Report it to your electric co-op immediately at 800-780-6486.


Members are also urged to report suspicious calls and scam attempts to the Oklahoma Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.


File complaints online at https://www.ok.gov/ oag/, via email to public. protection@oag.ok.gov, or telephone 405-521-2029.


Co-op members are reminded that CEC never attempts to collect money over the telephone. Delinquent accounts receive notices in the mail or automated messages.


If you receive a call or a message about your CEC account, please hang up the phone and refer to your last electric bill. Do not call any telephone numbers or visit any websites instructed by the caller until you check that information carefully against your CEC billing statement.


Please report suspicious calls to CEC immediately at 800-760-6486 so we can warn other members.


Lower your electric bill by five bucks this month by signing up for paperless billing using Choctaw Electric's Smarthub. Instead of receiving a bill in the mail, your bill is delivered electronically for quick, easy viewing. The process saves your co-op thousands of dollars in printing, mailing and administrative costs—and it's convenient for you!


To sign up for paperless billing, visit www.choctawelectric.coop and click on Smarthub. If you're already registered on Smarthub, simply log in and click "Go Paperless."


Community Events


Help us promote your event by sending event details in advance. Please send event information to Jennifer Boling/Inside Your Co-op/ PO Box 758, Hugo, OK 74743; or e-mail info to jboling@choctawelectric.coop. Events and


dates are subject to change.


MARCH 5


13 16


17 20 20 25


27


Mary H. Herron Memorial Kite Fest, Idabel


Daylight Saving Time Begins


Beavers Bend Kayak Classic, Broken Bow


St. Patrick’s Day 1st Day of spring Palm Sunday


Good Friday – CEC Offices Closed for the holiday


25-26 Grant’s Early Bird Bluegrass Festival, Hugo Easter Sunday


APRIL 2


2 30 MAY


7-10 Red Slough Birding Convention, Idabel


27-29 Heartland Nationals Sand Drag Race, Atoka


28 30


Jim Long Memorial Car Show, Clayton


Memorial Day – CEC Closed


Lucky Account # 38853551 ($25 Bill Credit). If the account number


above belongs to you, contact your co- op by the 10th of the month to claim your $25 bill credit. Call Jennifer Boling at 800-780-6486, ext. 207, or contact CEC via email or in person.


Dogwood Days Festival, Idabel


American Indian Youth Leadership Spring Pow Wow, Broken Bow Sports Complex


Spring Art Show, Frisco Depot Museum, Hugo


CEC Inside Your Co-op | MARCH 2016 | 5


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