(ARLINGTON, Va.) – The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), along with electric cooperatives across the country, are joining forces with the utility industry to fight back against the scammers cheating electric utility customers out of millions of dollars.
The new collaboration, Utilities United Against Scams, aims to educate the public about the tricks scammers use to steal money. At the same time, utilities will share information in order to assist efforts to track down the scammers.
“Scammers prey on small businesses and the vulnerable using ruthless bullying tactics to extort millions of dollars. No utility’s customers are safe from these criminals, and that’s why we’re proud to join this coalition to fight back against scams,” said NRECA CEO Jim Matheson. “It is vital that the utility industry coordinate efforts to shut this industry down.”
During the week of Nov. 14, NRECA and member co-ops will be sharing public education messages through social and traditional media, and customer and public communication channels.
The collaborative encourages the public to share these messages and use the hashtag #StopScams to help guard against scam activity.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.