Hart EMC warns customers of new scam

A new telephone scam is hitting customers of Hart EMC.

According to Hart EMC officials, customers are receiving calls telling them the power company has been purchased by Georgia Power and they need to pay off their bills immediately.

Hart EMC Public Relations Director Angie Brown says none of that is true.

“Several people got calls yesterday, from someone stating that Georgia Power has purchased Hart EMC and that that need to pay in full, immediately, or they would cut their power off,” Brown said. “Several of them were elderly, and it really upset them.”

Established in the 1930’s, Hart EMC is an Electric Membership Cooperative.

That means they are owned by the people who receive their electricity from them.

Hart EMC is overseen by eight Board Members, including the President and CEO, a Vice-Chair and a representative for each of the four counties they serve: Franklin, Hart, Elbert and Stephens counties.

Brown said the scammers appear to have targeted customers  Monday along the Elbert County line, but she said she expects it to spread.

Brown advises any Hart EMC customer who received such a phone call to simply hang up.

Brown said as far as she knows, none of the customers who were contacted by the scammers gave them any money.

Law enforcement in all four counties have been notified about the scam.

Again, you receive a phone call from someone tellng you they’re from Hart EMC and the Company was sold to Georgia just hang up and call Hart EMC toll-free at 1-800-241-4109.