Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Electricity scam on rise

The electric company will not call you and threaten to disconnect your power.

So says spokesmen from area electric companies regarding an uptick in fraudulent phone calls area residents have apparently been receiving.

Social media comments from the area have made reference to the scammers.

Fraudsters make a call and connect with a utility customer. The scammer then tells the customer that the customer must come up with money in the form of a debit card or gift card in a very short time to prevent their electricity from being turned off.

“These scammers are a constant problem,” Thom Moore said. Moore is director of member services for Farmer’s Electric Co-op.

“If you receive this type of call hang up the phone immediately and call us,” Moore said. “Don’t give them anything.”

“Sadly this is very common,” Wes Reeves Xcel Energy spokesman said. “We get spells of this from time to time in New Mexico and Texas,” Reeves said. “And the scammers are frequency changing their scamming methods.”

Reeves outlined what would actually happen if someone was to have their electric service shut off for non-payment.

“If you are behind,” Reeves said, “You will get a notice from us in the mail.”

Reeves said Xcel is willing to work with customers if they get behind in paying their bills.

“We have multiple ways for you to pay,” Reeves said.

 
 
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