LPEA cautions customers of another, new fraud attempt

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By Indiana Reed

Special to The SUN

La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is once again cautioning its members to not be fooled by impersonators claiming to be from LPEA and threatening disconnection for lack of payment.

“Every time we turn around, there’s a new twist,” said Steve Gregg, LPEA chief operating officer. “Today’s effort involves a threat that the business must pay $500 to the so-called ‘meter man’ who will arrive on site within the hour, otherwise the electricity will be shut off because they’re claiming the account is delinquent.”

One key signal of fraud is that the caller claims the meter man en route to the business is scheduled to install a new “GPS meter” — something that does not exist. The caller provides 800 phone numbers and theoretical new work order and meter numbers, all of which are false.

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