Beauregard Electric Cooperative Inc. is warning members of a phone scam that threatens victims with having their power turned off if they don’t provide financial information. BECi spokeswoman Danielle Tilley said members began reporting the phone calls this week, saying they came from an unlisted number claiming to represent the utility.

“In the reports from members that we have received, the caller claims to be with BECi and that the victim is told that they need to make a payment over the phone right then to avoid having their electricity shut off,” Tilley said. 

BECi officials said the utility will never request members’ credit card information over the phone.

“If you are in danger of being cut off for non-payment, an automated call from BECi will notify you,” reads a BECi news release.

BECi serves over 41,000 members in seven parishes.