Green Dot Pre-Paid Card Scam
Growing up in Southwest Oklahoma, we never locked our doors—everyone
looked after each other. But times have changed. It seems every day we hear about another security breach, and today’s thieves aren’t targeting traditional goods like electronics or the family safe. Instead, they want your (and our) data. Cyber thieves keep testing digital doorknobs and looking for open software windows to fi nd a way to crack personal and business databases. We take this threat seriously. After all, Harmon
Electric Association is owned and governed by you, our members. You’ve placed your trust in us, and we’re committed to protecting your data while delivering reliable, safe, and affordable power.
Unlike my old neighborhood, we don’t have a digital open door policy at Harmon Electric. As a cooperative, we’re part of a national network of consumer-controlled electricity providers working together to constantly evaluate and bolster cyber security measures. While there’s no sure-fi re way to keep determined computer hackers out, we’re making it a lot harder, raising our level of protection with new tools provided by the Cooperative Research Network, a research arm of our national service organization, Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Collaborating with electric cooperatives across rural America, we are working hard to minimize cyber security risks. Of course cyber security isn’t a one-time thing—we’re constantly improving and reinforcing our defenses with new technologies and best practices to protect your data and our operations.
No matter what security challenges rear their heads in
the future, we are striving to be ready to meet them. As always, Harmon Electric Association will be looking out for you.
Please be aware that there is a scam called the Green Dot Pre-Paid Card Scam which is targeting rural electric cooperative members, mostly of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. We have already had one such instance reported in Harmon Electric’s service territory. The caller identifi ed himself as a Harmon Electric employee and told the member that they must make a payment immediately or a truck would be sent out to disconnect their electricity. He instructed them to purchase the Green Dot pre-paid card to make this payment.
Green Dot pre-paid cards are available at convenience stores and pharmacies. Consumers add money to the cards and use them to pay bills and add money to online accounts. Green Dot also produces pre-paid debit cards.
Scam artists are using both types of cards to get cash from
victims. They tell victims to buy a Green Dot “money pak” or “pre-paid” card and to place money on the card. Victims then provide the “money pak” pin number, allowing the scammers to transfer the money immediately from the Green Dot card to another account. Once transferred, the victim’s money is lost. Harmon Electric will never ask you to purchase a card to pay your electric bill. Thankfully the member that was contacted by scammers knew to check with our offi ce before purchasing the card, therefore no money was lost. To report suspected fraud or scams, contact the Attorney
General’s Public Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029, (918) 581- 2885 or
PublicProtection@oag.ok.gov as well as local law enforcement. For more information about tips and resources, go online to
www.oag.ok.gov.
HARMON ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC 114 North First Hollis, OK 73550
Operating in
Beckham, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa and Greer Counties in Oklahoma and Hardeman and Childress Counties in Texas
Member of Western Farmers Electric Cooperative Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. Oklahoma Rural Water Association, Inc.
HARMON ELECTRIC HI-LITES - Lisa Richard, Editor The Harmon Electric Hi-Lites is the publication of your local owned and operated rural electric cooperative, organized and incorporated under the laws of Oklahoma to serve you with low-cost electric power.
Charles Paxton ......................................................................................... Manager
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pete Lassiter ..................................................................................................District 1 Jim Reeves ....................................................................................................District 2 Clinton Nesmith .............................................................................................District 3 Bob Allen .......................................................................................................District 4 Burk Bullington ..............................................................................................District 5 Jean Pence ....................................................................................................District 6 Billy R. Nowell ................................................................................................District 7 Charles Horton .............................................................................................. Attorney
Monthly Board of Directors meetings Held Fourth Thursday of Each Month
IF YOUR ELECTRICITY GOES OFF, REPORT THE OUTAGE
We have a 24-hour answering service to take outage reports and dispatch service- men. Any time you have an outage to report in the Hollis or Gould exchange area, call our offi ce at 688-3342. Any other exchange
area call toll free, 1-800-643-7769.
TO REPORT AN OUTAGE, CALL 688-3342 or 1-800-643-7769 ANYTIME
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