Carroll Electric’s members are reporting an increase in solicitations and scams making exaggerated or false claims.
THREE TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
BEWARE OF NAME-DROPPERS: If someone tries to convince you that they are somehow affiliated with or partnering with Carroll Electric, or if they threaten to disconnect electric service, please contact us immediately at 1-800-432-9720.
• Carroll Electric DOES NOT authorize, endorse, or encourage any company’s products or services. Further, we DO NOT provide your address or contact information to third parties.
• If a Carroll Electric employee or agent contacts you, it will NOT be to sell you anything. Of course, employees and agents are happy to provide identification to ease your mind, and you are always welcome to contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.
• Carroll Electric DOES NOT call members asking that they pay their bills immediately over the phone, nor do we accept gift cards for bill payments. Past due accounts are mailed a written notice several days before the final due date. Payments can be made by you calling us directly, online through our website portal, or in person at one of our locations.
AVOID THE SENSE OF URGENCY: Scammers and high-pressure salespeople often rely on people responding quickly. You can combat this by maintaining these three priorities. Always remember that it may be best to end the conversation if you become uncomfortable.
• Priority 1 Protect your personal information. In many cases, a simple internet search can reveal information about you. This is an excellent reason to be mindful of what personal information you post on social media. Public information, combined with what might seem like a harmless conversation, can later be used to make acting quickly more appealing.
• Priority 2 Gather company information. Collect the company’s contact information from the person who contacted you. Ask for documentation supporting any claim being made. Request draft copies of any contracts required to complete the transaction.
• Priority 3 Verify the information gathered. Do your research to ensure things add up and check independent company reviews. A trusted friend or family member can often help you raise the right questions before acting. An excellent question is if other, potentially better, alternatives exist for the same product or service.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: In some cases, you may be able to reverse a transaction if you contact authorities promptly. Also, if you want more information about some of the scams identified by the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, visit https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/.
For more information, visit https://www.carrollecc.com/scam-alert.
Original source can be found here.
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