Pee Dee Electric is urging members to be aware of a utility bill-paying scam affecting customers in North Carolina and nationwide. The scam falsely claims households are eligible for utility bill credits through a new federal program. No such program exists.

According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers contact consumers door-to-door and through phone calls, fliers, social media and text messages and ask for Social Security and bank routing numbers. Often, President Obama’s name is mentioned. In return, consumers are given a phony bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills. In reality, there is no money, and customers believe they have paid their bills when in fact they have not. Additionally, consumers put themselves at risk for identity theft when they give out personal information.

Members are reminded that Pee Dee Electric does not contact members to obtain personal identifiable information and to beware of anyone requesting this information. When in doubt of the identity of someone claiming to represent Pee Dee Electric in person or over the phone, members should call 1-800-992-1626 for verification of identity and need for service.