SLECA warns of utility scam

South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association is warning consumers not to fall prey to an electric utility scam that is making the rounds locally.
Customers in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes have been contacted and told their bill was past due and their electric service would be disconnected within the hour if they did not pay. The consumer is told to give the scammers their credit card number or send money to a Pay Pal account, according to SLECA General Manager Joe Ticheli.
While customers in those three parishes have been targeted in the last few months, Ticheli said, “It’s probably only a matter of time before they affect Assumption and St. Martin.”
Ticheli said that both residential and commercial consumers had been targeted.
“SLECA never calls consumers to tell them their bill is delinquent,” he said. “Official delinquent notices are mailed to consumers alerting them that their account is past due and giving them an additional five days to make their payment.”
If a meter is disconnected for non-payment, a uniformed employee is sent to the location to disconnect the meter, Ticheli said.
“The scam artists are getting bolder and the scams are much more frequent,” Ticheli said, adding that they identify themselves as working for SLECA and give the consumer a made-up employee identification number as well as the correct SLECA address and phone number.
“It makes it sound so legitimate, and, of course, it’s not,” Ticheli said.
Even though the scam can take place at any time of the day it appears late afternoon, after hours and weekends are the favorite times, he said.
“Please be alert. If someone calls representing SLECA, telling you that you have a delinquent bill, do not give them any information and for sure do not send them any money. Call law enforcement immediately,” Ticheli said.