Santee Cooper warns customers of scammers

March 25, 2020

Santee Cooper is receiving repeated reports of scammers calling customers, demanding immediate payment, and threatening to turn off customers’ electricity. Santee Cooper is not making these calls and this is not how the utility does business.

In fact, Santee Cooper is not disconnecting any customer’s power right now.

“We’re in this together. It’s important for our customers to know they can depend on Santee Cooper and depend on having their power during these trying times. Until further notice, we have temporarily suspended all non-payment disconnects, which gives our customers one less thing to worry about,” said Mike Poston, chief customer service officer.

Customer service representatives are working regular business hours if customers have questions. If a customer receives a call demanding payment, they should hang up the phone and contact the Customer Care Center to report the call. Customers can reach Santee Cooper by calling 800-804-7424 or emailing [email protected].

Customers are also encouraged to do business online through Santee Cooper’s My Energy Link (MEL).

Santee Cooper asks customers to keep in mind that the utility will never:

  • Request banking information over the telephone unless the customer initiates the conversation.
  • Ask for credit card information unless a security deposit is required for a new service account.
  • Call customers and demand payment of any type over the telephone.
  • Email or text customer demanding payment.
  • Make any forceful demands for immediate payment and threaten to terminate a customer’s service.
  • Leave a message threatening termination of service if a customer doesn’t immediate return a call.
  • Ask a customer to pay their account balance with a prepaid credit or debit card.
  • Threaten to appear at your business or home to demand immediate payment.

“We encourage our customers to stay safe and stay vigilant. We’re here for you when you need us,” Poston said.

 

Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power provider, largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.