JOHNSON CITY – At least three business have reported phone scammers operating in the region on Wednesday. Utilities around the state report concerns from commercial and residential customers receiving high pressure phone calls from scammers posing as utility bill collectors. In the current incident, several local businesses have reported receiving threatening phone calls from fraudsters. Scammers use scare tactics in attempt to coerce customers into providing credit card or other payment information over the phone, threatening to cut off electricity if immediate payment is not tendered.

If a customer should ever have any question about the identity of a BrightRidge representative in any situation, request the caller’s name, department, and phone number, hang up and then contact customer service at (423) 952-5000. In addition, customers also can quickly check the status of their accounts 24 hours a day by phoning (423) 952-5000 and selecting option 2 on the automated attendant, or online through our SmartHub web and mobile application, available on the front page of www.BrightRidge.com website.