Kootenai Electric warns of utility scam

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai Electric Cooperative has issued a warning to its members regarding a scam that has impacted utility customers in the area.

According to reports, scammers will call utility customers and impersonate the utility company while claiming that the customer’s bill is overdue and needs to be paid immediately. A press release from Kootenai Electric Cooperative adds if the customer does not go along with the scammers’ claims, they are threatened with having their utility service disconnected.

The scammer is calling from (800) 994-9025, but the release adds they may call from other numbers as well. Kootenai Electric Cooperative members should follow these tips to avoid falling for this scam, and others:

• Call Kootenai Electric Cooperative at (208) 765-1200 to verify whether a person is a KEC employee, as well as the purpose of the contact.

• Members should never provide account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone, unless the member initiated the call.

• If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company, and feel pressured for payment, hang up the phone and call the number on your utility bill.

Kootenai Electric Cooperative is working with local and federal authorities, who are investigating the scam. For more information, contact the cooperative at (208) 765-1200 or www.kec.com.