Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is alerting members that a scam artist is making phone calls alleging that the “power company is calling” and will cut off their power due to a leak.

Reportedly, the caller sounds automated and the caller ID shows a legitimate Blue Ridge telephone line although the call is not being made from or by Blue Ridge Electric or its subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies.

Currently, the calls appear to be going only to restaurants but the cooperative urges all members to be on the alert for these type of calls. If any business or residential member receives this type of call, please report it to your local Sheriff’s Department.

Members may also call Blue Ridge Electric at any time to verify telephone calls you may receive that claim to be from the cooperative or a subsidiary of the cooperative. In Ashe County, members may call 336-846-7138, in Watauga County: 828-264-8894, in Caldwell County: 828-754-9071; and in Alleghany County: 336-372-4646.

Blue Ridge Electric serves some 74,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties.