Volunteer Energy Cooperative has issued an alert after an individual claiming to be a VEC representative tried to get money from them.

The impostor telephoned at least two Meigs County residents early Wednesday morning attempting to get money.

The man, who identified himself as Bill Garret, told both residents they were behind on their electric bills and tried to convince them to transfer money to an account to pay up.

The calls were placed between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Noting the odd hour for a legitimate collections call, neither resident was taken in by the scammer. One resident, who had only been receiving electricity from VEC at their home for two months, was also tipped off when the caller claimed they were six months behind on their electric bill.

But after one of the residents hung up on the caller, the persistent con man called back. He reportedly told the resident, “You don’t want to hang up on me. I have my supervisor here with me, and I can get a crew out there to shut your power off right now.”

VEC President/CEO Rody Blevins said, “VEC never calls customers later than 9 p.m. unless it is in regards to an emergency power restoration issue.”

VEC Vice President of Operations Clyde Jolley said after the customers notified VEC of the call, law enforcement authorities were notified.