UCEMC Warns Members Of Scam Targeting Cookeville

Another scam has surfaced this- time for some Cookeville customers of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation.

Public Relations Manager Terri Merryman said the scammer identified himself as a lineman named Christopher. The caller demanded $750 on a past due electric bill or power would immediately shut off.

“He then put them through another scammer named Brian Campbell, who instructed the members to go to the Dollar General Store, buy two money pack cards totaling that amount and call back when they completed that purchase,” Merryman said.

Merryman said the scam was nothing new, but callers are trying to become more elaborate. Merryman said scammers high-jack local numbers to make calls and try to include multiple people to seem more official.

“Nothing new about this, it’s just a scam,” Merryman said. “The whole thing about going to the Dollar General Store was a little bit different.”

Merryman said unlike the electric corporation, scammers often times want immediate gratification. Merryman said members did the right thing and hung up.

“They call and threat to disconnect the power immediately if you don’t give them your credit card or banking information,” Merryman said. “This is not our policy. We will never operate this way.”

Merryman said linemen will never call seeking payment. Members with late payments will also receive notification of a late notice before receiving a phone call for collection.

Merryman said UCEMC has not received reports of more scammer calls Tuesday.