Officials with Volunteer Energy Cooperative are warning of a telephone scam in Meigs County.
A news release said that a man claiming to be a VEC representative phoned at least two county residents overnight and said he was collecting on their overdue electric bills. He tried to convince them to transfer money to an account in payment.
Neither responded to the scam, but after one hung up on the caller, the persistent con man called back. He reportedly told the resident, “You don’t want to hang up on me. I have my supervisor here with me, and I can get a crew out there to shut your power off right now.”
Volunteer Energy President and CEO Rody Blevins said that the utility never calls customers later than 9 p.m.” unless it is in regards to an emergency power restoration issue.”
Clyde Jolley, vice president of operations, said law enforcement has been notified.