North Georgia EMC (NGEMC) is alerting its members to a recent surge in fraudulent calls where scammers are impersonating the cooperative’s “financial department” to demand immediate payment. One NGEMC member recently reported being targeted with a particularly elaborate scheme involving barcodes and instructions to deposit cash.

The scammer, posing as an NGEMC representative, pressured the victim into making an immediate payment by claiming it was owed to the power company. The scammer then sent the victim barcodes, instructing her to pay by scanning them, a tactic designed to circumvent traditional payment methods and prevent cancellation. NGEMC emphasizes that these tactics are hallmarks of a sophisticated scam operation. The cooperative wants to remind all members that NGEMC will NEVER call demanding immediate payment on an account.

“Scammers often rely on pressure tactics to rush you into making decisions,” an NGEMC spokesperson stated. “If you receive a call and feel pressured in any way, the best course of action is to hang up immediately and contact NGEMC directly using a verified phone number found on our website or your bill.”

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of this scam, remember the following:

Hang up: If you receive an unsolicited call demanding immediate payment, especially if it involves threats or pressure, hang up the phone.

Verify: Contact NGEMC directly using the published phone number on your bill or website. Do not rely on phone numbers, email addresses, or payment instructions provided by the unsolicited caller.

Be wary of specific payment requests: NGEMC will never demand payment in a specific form, such as cash or payment through untraceable methods. NGEMC is committed to protecting its members from fraud.

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, report the incident to NGEMC and local law enforcement.