Central Alabama Electric Cooperative is warning members, as well as the general public, to be aware of a phone scam circulating its service area.

The scam uses energy-related ploys to fraudulently obtain funds or gain bank account and personal information, according to a release from CAEC.

A CAEC member in Chilton County alerted the cooperative about a phone call she received in which a caller stated that the member’s account was “delinquent” and unless she called a provided “1-800” number to pay the amount due, the service would be disconnected within 30 minutes, the release said.

The member did not call the provided number, but instead called CAEC and learned that her account was in no way at risk of being disconnected.

CAEC said this form of scamming has become common within the last year, using the fear of power interruption to lead the victim to give out bank, credit card or other personal information or funds to the con artist.

CAEC said they never call and solicit personal information from its members and asks that if anyone receives such a call, to refuse to make payment and report the call to (800) 545-5735.