Cook County residents beware— if you get a call from someone claiming to be from Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (GM PUC) or representing Arrowhead Electric Cooperative and they tell you to pay your electric bill by credit card or your power will cut off within 15 minutes, it’s a scam. Don’t give them your credit card number.
People making these scam calls are pretty convincing. If the recipient expresses doubt in the legitimacy of the call, the scammer tells them to check their Caller ID.
Upon doing so, they will see that the number as shown is indeed that of Arrowhead Electric or Grand Marais PUC. This is a trick often used by telephone scammers.
The Cook County Sheriff ’s Office has confirmed that the City of Grand Marais is not making these calls and is not demanding payment of any residents. Neither is Arrowhead Electric.
The Grand Marais PUC never threatens to disconnect power immediately or makes phone calls regarding its billing.
Both utilities give notice of any overdue accounts in writing with a warning period of several weeks before disconnection and both work with customers on payment options.
If you receive this call, hang up. Never provide financial information like credit cards or bank account information over the phone.
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