Consumer Alert: MVEA Warns Members About Recent Scamming Attempts
Falcon, CO – Mountain View Electric Association, Inc. (MVEA) wants to alert their members about potential fraud and make them aware of recent scamming attempts.
MVEA received a call from a member, who stated that they received a call from a scammer. The scammer told the MVEA member that their rates would be lowered if they switched to an auto credit card and then requested their card information.
“MVEA will never request a payment card over the phone for an account balance or to switch members to auto-pay,” Sarah Schaefer, MVEA Public Information Officer, said. “If a member wants to pay their balance with a payment card over the phone, we transfer them to an automated-pay-by-phone system, so their payment and information remain secure.”
Scammers can be very convincing, and MVEA wants their members to protect themselves with the following tips:
- Do not assume the name and number on your caller ID are legitimate. Caller IDs can be spoofed.
- Never share your personal information if someone if threatening to disconnect your service, including date of birth, Social Security number or banking account information.
- Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
- Do not click links or call numbers in unexpected emails or texts – especially those asking for your account information.
- MVEA accepts many forms of payment, but will NOT require a specific type of payment for account balances.
- MVEA employees will never request access inside a member’s home. If they need to access meters or equipment outside, they will have an MVEA identification badge, MVEA clothing and an MVEA vehicle.
- If you receive a call, or in-person visit, that you believe is a scam, call the police and also report the incident to MVEA at 1-800-388-9881.