PINEVILLE, La. – Cleco warns its business and residential customers to be aware that fraudulent callers are continuing to demand bill payment or face power disconnection.

"Bill payment scammers who represent themselves as Cleco employees continue to call our customers demanding immediate payment for unpaid utility bill balances," said Shirley Turner, general manager of customer experience management for Cleco. "We want customers to hang up if they receive these calls, and to not fall victim to these scams. Cleco will not call and demand payment from customers. To verify account balances, customers should call our call center or check their balances online through our MyAccount program."

For customers protection, Cleco gives three important points regarding unpaid electricity bill balances:
• A Cleco representative will not call customers demanding payment.
• Cleco will not tell customers the type of payment method to use to pay their bills.
• Cleco will not suggest a location where a bill should be paid.

Callers began making fraudulent calls July 2013, and they have continued sporadically since that time. "Customers are now reporting that they are receiving calls again," said Turner. "Our goal is to teach customers our policies so that they can distinguish between a fraudulent call and a legitimate call from Cleco."

Cleco is working with law enforcement officials to investigate the calls. The company also reminds customers that regardless of how realistic these calls may sound, they should remember that Cleco will not call customers and demand payment. Customers receiving these types of calls should contact Cleco's call center at 1-800-622-6537, visit a customer service office or use the company's MyAccount online program to inquire about a billing question.