It can start three different ways: a sudden phone call about your bill, an email that looks like routine account business, or a stranger at your door claiming to be from your electricity provider. Unfortunately, these three different approaches may signal the same bad intent: scammers trying to catch Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) members off guard and push them into handing over money or personal information. REC encourages members to stay alert for scams received by email, by phone and in person. If something feels off, the safest move is to pause, end the interaction or close the text message, and contact REC directly using a trusted number.Email scams: what you can do to avoid getting hooked REC has seen scam emails designed to divert payments intended for the Cooperative into fraudulent accounts. These messages can look professional and feel routine, which is why it’s worth slowing down and checking the details before you respond.
- Check the sender’s email address carefully. Look for swapped letters, extra characters or unusual domains that mimic REC.
- Treat any request to change where or how you pay — or claims that a payment process has changed — as a warning sign. If an email directs you to a different payment method, stop and verify through REC.
- Do not share personal or financial information by email. That includes your Social Security number or bank account information.
- Watch for quality issues. Noticeable grammar mistakes, strange phrasing or inconsistent formatting can signal a scam.
- Avoid unusual payment methods. Do not make payments using gift cards, prepaid debit cards or wire transfers.
Phone scams: what you can do to avoid falling for a scam call or text Phone scams often follow a familiar playbook: a caller claims to represent REC and demands immediate payment, sometimes threatening disconnection if you don’t comply. REC may notify members when payment has not been received and disconnection is pending, but REC’s member service representatives do not demand immediate payment.
- If you’re unsure, end the call and contact REC directly using a trusted number.
- Never agree to meet someone to make a payment. REC would not request that a member meet an employee to pay a bill.
- Be cautious if a caller claims REC is using a collection agency to contact you by phone. REC does not use collection agencies to contact members by phone.
- Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and trust the number.
In-person scams: what you can do if someone shows up at your door In the past, REC received reports of individuals coming onto members’ property and posing as REC representatives. In some cases, scammers requested access to property, claimed REC would cover solar panel installation costs, or presented information related to a non-REC transmission line.
- Be cautious of anyone claiming REC will pay for or provide solar panel installations. REC does not pay for or provide solar panel installations; it provides guidance on solar energy for residences and businesses.
- Verify identity before allowing access. REC personnel and contractors use clearly marked vehicles, wear uniforms and carry proper identification.
- If you feel uncertain, do not engage further. Report suspicious visits to local law enforcement.
How to report a scam If you receive a suspicious email, phone call, text message or in-person visit from someone claiming to be from REC, do not click links, share personal information or send payment. End the call or interaction, then contact REC directly at 1-800-552-3904 to confirm whether the contact was legitimate. If you believe you have been scammed, report it to the cooperative and local law enforcement. Report attempted scams to REC here: www.myrec.coop/report-scam.
