Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is alerting members across southern Middle Tennessee about a renewed phone scam targeting electric customers, with reports indicating scammers are impersonating the cooperative and demanding immediate payment to avoid power disconnection.
According to DREMC, several members have recently received calls claiming they have a past-due balance that must be paid immediately. In many cases, callers instruct members to dial a separate phone number to submit payment. That number may sound identical to DREMC’s official phone system, complete with recorded menu prompts, making the scam appear legitimate.
DREMC officials say the scam operations are well organized and increasingly sophisticated. Calls may originate from local area codes, toll-free numbers, or even “spoofed” phone numbers that appear to be associated with Duck River Electric. Scammers are also using conversational tactics to gain trust, responding in real time to information shared by the member to reinforce the illusion that they have account access.
The cooperative emphasized several key points members should remember. DREMC will never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten sudden disconnection of service. Members who feel uncomfortable or suspicious during a call are urged to hang up immediately and contact DREMC directly using the phone number listed on their bill or the official website, dremc.com. Members can also verify their account status by logging into their online account or using the DREMC mobile app.
DREMC is working closely with local media and law enforcement agencies to spread awareness and reduce the risk of members falling victim to these scams. Members who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to report them so the cooperative can continue tracking patterns and informing the public.
Established in 1936, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation serves more than 86,000 members across 17 counties in southern Middle Tennessee, including Franklin County. The cooperative says staying informed and cautious remains the best defense against fraud as scam tactics continue to evolve.
For more information or to review official contact numbers, visit dremc.com.
