• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

  • Rural Internet
    • Service Area
  • View / Pay Bill
    • Quick Pay
    • Register
    • Forgot Password?
  • Outages
    • Outage Map
    • Outage Center
      • PowerTouch
      • Outage Texting
      • Mobile App
    • Storm Center
      • Storm Preparation
        • Hurricane Readiness
        • Generator Safety
      • After the Storm
      • Submit Photos
    • Restoring Power
  • Member Services
    • Contact Us
    • Forms & Publications
    • Office Locations
    • Report an Outage
    • Report an Outdoor Light Outage
    • Update Account Information
    • Report Energy Theft/Tampering
    • Safety Demonstration Request
    • Media Contacts
    • FAQ
  • More results...

    Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
    Search in posts
    Search in pages
Skip NavigationMenu
  • My Service
    • Close
    • New Members
      • Start Residential Electric Service
      • Welcome to YEC
    • Billing
    • Meter Locations
    • Peak Demand
    • Outdoor Lighting
      • Outdoor Lighting Info Request
      • Report Outdoor Lighting Outage
    • Underground Service
    • Forms & Publications
    • My Business
      • Start Residential Electric Service
    • Close
  • My Community
    • Close
    • Scholarships & Events
    • Bright Ideas Grant
    • Learn with YEC
      • Learn With Art
        • Co-op Magnet Design Challenge
        • Gear up for Safety Coloring Contest
      • Safety Videos
      • Soft Skills
      • Energy Glossary
    • Safety Demonstration Request
    • Operation Round Up®
      • Operation Round Up Application
      • Disposition Statement
    • The Burrell Foundation
    • Economic Development
      • Affiliations
      • East York Industrial Park
    • South Carolina Living
    • Submit Photos
    • Co-op Connections®
      • All Discounts
      • Co-op Connections for Businesses
        • Business Contract & Application
    • Close
  • My Cooperative
    • Close
    • Annual Meeting
    • Support Your Co-op
    • Contact Us
      • Report an Outage
      • Report an Outdoor Light Outage
      • Outdoor Lighting Info Request
      • Report Energy Theft/Tampering
      • Media Contacts
    • Office Locations & Contacts
    • Service Area
    • Member Survey
    • Capital Credits
      • Unclaimed Checks Searchable Database
    • Leadership Team
      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Meetings
    • Careers
      • Employment Application
      • Statement of Nondiscrimination
    • Meeting Room Facility
    • History
      • 75th Anniversary 2016
      • What is a Co-op
    • Rules & Regulations
      • Bylaws
    • South Carolina Living
    • Close
  • Energy Services
    • Close
    • Electric Vehicles
      • Choose EV
      • Electric Vehicle Survey
    • Smart Thermostat Program
      • Smart Thermostat Offer
      • Enroll a Smart Thermostat
    • Solar
      • What is Solar?
      • Rooftop Solar
      • Community Solar Farm
        • Solar Farm FAQ
      • Solar Advisory Program
        • Solar Interest Form
        • Solar Interconnect Application
    • Energy Efficiency
      • 101 Energy Tips
      • Spring & Summer
      • Fall & Winter
      • Energy Calculators
      • Energy Smart SC
      • Home Energy Saver Adventure
      • Shop Smart Solutions
      • Together We Save
      • How-To Videos
      • EnergyWorks Home Tour
      • Appliances & Insulation
    • Green Power
      • Green Power Sign Up
    • Dual Fuel Heat Pump Rebate
    • Energy Audits
    • Federal Tax Credits
    • Agricultural Energy Audit
    • Generator Program
      • Generator Program Application
    • Energy Standards
    • Close
  • Safety
    • Close
    • Learning with YEC Safety Videos
    • Safety Demonstrations
      • Safety Demonstration Request
    • Indoor Safety
    • Outdoor Safety
    • Generator Safety
    • Overloads
    • Shock Hazards
    • Outlets
    • Water Danger
    • Overhead Lines
    • Energy Glossary
    • SafeElectricity.org
    • Close
  • Reliability
    • Close
    • Right of Way Maintenance
      • Schedule
      • Trade a Tree
    • Close
  • News
    • Close
    • COVID-19 Information
    • YEC News
    • e-News
    • South Carolina Living
    • Media Contacts
    • Close
  • COVID-19 Resources
    • Close
    • Stay Plus
      • SC Stay Plus FAQ
    • Close
You are here: Home / News & Announcements / Utility Imposter Scammers Ready as Temperatures Drop

July 26, 2022

Utility Imposter Scammers Ready as Temperatures Drop

South Carolina utilities have joined with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) and the Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) for Utility Scam Awareness Week (November 15-19, 2021) to warn consumers about utility imposter scams as consumers turn on their heat for the winter.

Telephone Scam AlertUtility imposter scams can happen in-person or over the phone and come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Consumers have reported seeing scammers dressed like a representative of a utility company, going door-to-door and demanding payment in prepaid cards or else power would be shut off. The scammer may call and claim the consumer needs a new meter or they are late on their payments. Whatever form the scam takes, the red flags are the same.

The top red flags of a utility imposter scam are:

  • Asking for payment in prepaid debit, gift card, money transfer, payment app, or cryptocurrency. No real utility company will ever ask a consumer to pay with anything other than direct forms of payment like a bank account or credit card. If someone claiming to be a utility says you must pay in an uncommon form of payment, it’s a scam. Every time. No matter what they say.
  • Use scare tactics or threaten you into paying ASAP. Often a scammer will warn the consumer they are late with a payment and if they don’t pay immediately, their services will be shut off. Utilities are required to provide consumers with at least 10 days’ written notice before their service is shut off and a second notice a few days prior.
  • Cold-call and ask for you to verify personal information. A cold call is when you receive an unsolicited visit or telephone call made by someone trying to obtain payment or information for a service. If you receive a cold call from anyone asking to verify private info like your account numbers/balances, Social Security number, date of birth, etc, hang up and directly call your utility company.

Consumers should also be wary of their caller IDs as scammers will “spoof” the number they are calling from, which causes the customer’s phone to display a false caller ID. Often, the scammer will “spoof” a local number, perhaps even using the utility’s standard customer service number.

If you have any doubt about the legitimacy of a caller, hang up immediately and call your utility’s customer service center.

  • York Electric Cooperative: (803) 684-4248 
  • Other South Carolina Electric Cooperatives: Visit www.ecsc.org to find your co-op’s phone number.
  • Dominion Energy South Carolina: (800) 251-7234
  • Duke Energy Carolinas: (800) 777-9898
  • Duke Energy Progress: (800) 452-2777
  • Santee Cooper: (800) 804-7424

If you suspect or experience a scam, notify your local law enforcement agency. To report a scam or for more information on defending against scams call our Identity Theft Unit at 1 (844) TELL DCA (835-5322) or visit consumer.sc.gov and click the Identity Theft Unit tab.

About SCDCA

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs aims to protect consumers from inequities in the marketplace through advocacy, complaint mediation, enforcement, and education. To file a complaint or get information on consumer issues, visit www.consumer.sc.gov or call toll-free in SC: 1 (800) 922-1594.

Recent News

  • Santee Cooper class action lawsuit settlement funds to be distributed
  • Here comes the sun
  • An added benefit for members: New location for Annual Meeting

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Member Resources

Online Account Access
Update Account Information
Download YEC Mobile App
Frequently Asked Questions
Billing & Payment Options
Residential Rates
View Outage Map
Forms & Downloads
Tips for lowering your electric bill
Safety & Preparedness

About YEC

Your Cooperative
News & Events
Career Opportunities
Community & Education
Service Area
History
Board of Directors
Trees and Rights of Way
How we restore power
Economic Development

Contact Us

Our Locations
Member Feedback
Report Outdoor Light Outage
Report Electricity Theft
Media Contacts
Member Services: (803) 684-4248
Report an Outage: (866) 374-1234
Outage Texting: 352667
Email

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Get YEC's free app at the Google Play site Get YEC's free iOS app at the Apple App Store

© 2023 York Electric Cooperative, Inc. | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | HIPAA | Bylaws | Accessibility Statement | Sitemap

Contact | 1385 Alexander Love Hwy, York, SC 29745 | Main: (803) 684-4248 | Report Outage: (866) 374-1234 or text: 352667 (prior registration required)

Site by Cooperative Inc.

[ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin