Stay Alert This Holiday Season: Utility Scams Are Trending
The holiday season is a prime time for fraudsters — not just with shopping scams, but also utility impostor scams. Scammers know people are busy, stressed and distracted, and they exploit that with calls, texts, email or even visits claiming your utility service is in danger unless you pay immediately.
In fact, according to a recent AARP survey, 80% of U.S. consumers report being targeted by at least one form of fraud during the holidays, including phishing messages, fake delivery or billing notices, and other seasonal schemes.
At Santee Cooper, we want to help you stay safe during this high-risk time of year.
Why Scams Increase During the Holidays
- Families travel, routines change and people may be less vigilant.
- Higher seasonal energy use makes “billing issues” sound more believable.
- End-of-year stress can make urgent threats feel more convincing.
- Criminals take advantage of holiday spending and increased digital activity.
Holiday-Specific Red Flags to Watch For
1. Urgent Payment Demands
Scammers often claim your service will be disconnected within minutes unless you pay immediately. They may even offer fake “holiday discounts” or “bill relief” if you pay right away.
- Santee Cooper never demands payment over the phone. We always send written late notices via mail well before service is at risk for disconnection. We will never ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency or mobile apps.
If something feels off, stop and verify through our official website or by calling us directly.
2. Spoofed Phone Numbers or Email Addresses
Scammers can make their number appear to be from your utility company or a familiar local area code.
- If you get a suspicious call, hang up and call Santee Cooper back at 800-804-7424 using the number on your bill or our website.
3. Surprise Door-to-Door Visits
Holiday schedules often bring more deliveries and visitors — something criminals count on.
- Santee Cooper employees will always wear clearly marked uniforms and drive official Santee Cooper vehicles. We rarely arrive unannounced and will never demand immediate payment at your door.
Stay Secure With My Energy Link (MEL)
Our online self-service portal is one of the best ways to protect yourself from scams. With MEL, you can:
- Check your account balance in real time
- Review your payment history
- Set up alerts and notifications
- Make secure payments 24/7
If you’re ever unsure whether a call or message is legitimate, logging into MEL can give you peace of mind.
The holidays should be a season of joy — not a time to worry about fraudulent threats or surprise “disconnect now” calls. By knowing the warning signs and verifying requests before acting, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from holiday scammers.
Santee Cooper is committed to your safety and privacy. If anything feels suspicious, trust your instincts and reach out to us directly.
