Northland Connection: August 2022

August 2022 | Volume 84 | Issue 8

First Member Appreciation Of The Fall To Be Held In September In Plattsburg

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative will host a Member Appreciation Event on Saturday September 10 at Perkins Park in Plattsburg, Missouri. The event will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

A number of family-friendly activities will be available, including bounce houses and a free pancake breakfast served by Chris Cakes between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. The event also represents an opportunity for Platte-Clay consumer-members to meet cooperative staff and their Board of Directors.

The Plattsburg event will be the first of its kind for the cooperative. Additional events will follow in Excelsior Springs and Platte City – read the September issue of the Northland Connection newsletter for additional information about these events.

Stay Safe From The Latest Utility Scams

From the General Manager

It’s no secret that consumers with a water, gas or electricity connection have long been targets for utility scams, but fraudsters have changed their tactics since the COVID-19 pandemic. As consumers became more reliant on technology for work, school and commerce, scammers noted these shifts and adapted their tactics to this changed environment.

Imposter scams are the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission. While scam artists may come to your door posing as a utility worker who works for the “power company,” in today’s more connected world, attempts are more likely to come through an electronic device, via email, phone or text.

Common Types of Scams

A scammer may claim you are overdue on your electric bill and threaten to disconnect your service if you don’t pay immediately. Whether this is done in-person, by phone, text or email, the scammers want to scare you into immediate payment so you don’t have time to think clearly.

If this happens over the phone, simply hang up. If you’re concerned about your bill, call us at 816-628-3121. Our phone number can also be found on your monthly bill and on our website, www.PCEC.coop. If the scam is by email or text, delete it before taking any action. If you’re unsure, you can always contact us to check the status of your account. Remember, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative will never attempt to demand immediate payment after just one notice.

Some scammers may falsely claim you have been overcharged on your bill and say they want to give a refund. It sounds easy. All you have to do is click or press a button to initiate the process. If you proceed, you will be prompted to provide banking or other personal information. Instead of money going into your bank account, the scammers can drain your account and use personal information such as a social security number for identity theft.

If this “refund” scam happens over the phone, just hang up and block the phone number to prevent future robocalls. If this scam attempt occurs via email (known as a “phishing” attempt) or by text (“smishing”), do not click any links. Instead, delete it, and if possible, block the sender. If you do overpay on your energy bill, PCEC will automatically apply the credit to your next billing cycle. When in doubt, contact us.

Defend Yourself Against Scams

Be wary of calls or texts from unknown numbers. Be suspicious of an unknown person claiming to be a utility worker who requests banking or other personal information.

Never let anyone into your home that you don’t know unless you have a scheduled appointment or reported a problem. Platte-Clay Electric employees wear marked uniforms and always identify themselves.

We want to help protect our community against utility scams, and you can help create the first line of defense. Please report any potential scams to us so we can spread the word to prevent others in the community from falling victim.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns you can reach me at GeneralManager@PCEC.coop.

Northland Students Represent Co-op at Youth Cycle Conference

Chloe Boulter of Liberty North High School, Wyeth Perry of East Buchanan High School and Brock Uthe of Platte County High School were among over 90 high school students from across Missouri who participated in the Missouri Electric Cooperative CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience) program in July.

The conference was held July 13-15, 2022 in Jefferson City. The three Northland students were sponsored by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative.

CYCLE provides high school students with opportunities to learn about what it is like to be involved in politics, the cooperative form of business and being a leader. The program included nationally known speakers and time at the Missouri State Capitol.

The CYCLE program is in its 19th year and is a recipient of the National Community Youth Service award for the top youth program among all electric cooperatives in the country.

Meeting Our Members Where They Are: Staying Connected To Our Community

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is led by consumer-members just like you who care deeply about providing top-notch service to their communities. The cooperative’s Board of Directors is selected by fellow members through a fair and open democratic process, including an annual membership election.

It’s our job as members of the Board of Directors to represent the interests of the communities we serve when it comes to decisions being made by the cooperative. Each director brings a unique background and perspective to the table, and together we provide guidance to cooperative leaders on a number of issues.

Since we have a responsibility to represent members from every corner of the Northland, it’s important that we keep in close contact with our membership. The cooperative accomplishes this by conducting surveys, participating in local chamber of commerce meetings, communicating openly with those who utilize our services and by making directors available to speak with members at a variety of events.

This fall, PCEC will be hosting a series of Member Appreciation Events to give members an opportunity to connect with their community and the co-op. This year’s events will be held in Plattsburg, Excelsior Springs and Platte City, and each will feature food, giveaways and an opportunity to meet cooperative leaders.

It’s our mission to empower communities and energize life with safe and reliable energy. Without strong connections to the communities we serve, it would be impossible to make sure their needs are being met by the services we provide.

That’s why we believe our job as your Board of Directors is to stay in tune with the members we represent and advocate for their best interests. Member Appreciation Events help us to achieve that goal and we hope you’ll take the time to stop by and visit with us.

The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.

Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.