Public Safety Announcement: Utility Scams – What to Watch for and How to Stay Safe

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) reminds members to be alert for utility-related scams that could be received by phone, text messages, emails, or in some cases, in-person visits.

REC does not request payment or personal information by text, use collection agencies to call members or email changes to payment methods. REC employees and contractors carry proper identification and arrive in marked vehicles.

“If something feels wrong, trust your instincts,” said Doug King, director – cybersecurity and infrastructure services and informational security officer. “It’s always better to take a few extra minutes to verify than become the victim of a scam.”

Members who suspect a scam should contact REC directly at 1 (800) 552-3904 to verify, as well as notify local authorities.

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.