Staying connected, staying secure

September 1, 2026

Electricity powers nearly every part of our daily lives, from keeping our homes comfortable to helping us stay connected with family, work and school.

For more than 80 years, Palmetto Electric Cooperative has maintained the poles, lines, substations and infrastructure needed to provide reliable electric service to our members. But as technology advances, reliability also means protecting our networks, systems and member information from cyber threats, while at the same time, helping members recognize and avoid scams.

Utility scams continue to be one of the most common tactics used by criminals. Over the last several months, electric cooperatives across the country and throughout the state of South Carolina have reported an increase in fraudulent websites, phone calls, emails and text messages designed to look like legitimate cooperative communications.

A scammer may pose as a Palmetto Electric representative and claim your account is overdue, your service is about to be disconnected or immediate payment is required. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has made it even easier for criminals to create convincing messages and websites that appear authentic.

If you receive an unexpected call, text or email regarding your electric account, do not click on links or call the phone number provided in the message. Instead, contact our Palmetto Electric offices directly or visit our website at palmetto.coop. Palmetto Electric will never require immediate payment over the phone or through email and text messages.

At Palmetto Electric, we take cybersecurity seriously. Through employee training, strong security practices and ongoing investments in technology, we are continually working to protect our members’ information and the systems that support our operations. We encourage our members to stay vigilant because we’re doing the same every day.

By staying informed and taking a few simple precautions, we can work together to keep personal information secure:

• Only use phone numbers and web addresses published by Palmetto Electric.
• Type the cooperative’s web address directly in your web browser instead of relying on search results (Google, etc.).
• Be cautious of requests to act immediately.
• Delete suspicious emails and do not click links or provide credit card information.

If something seems suspicious, contact Palmetto Electric to verify. If you have questions about your account or receive suspicious communications claiming to be from Palmetto Electric, call us directly at (843) 208-5551 or visit palmetto.coop. We’re always happy to help verify information and keep you connected safely.

Your trust is important to us. That’s why we’re committed to protecting the systems and information that support our members while providing the tools and resources you need to recognize and avoid scams.

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A. Berl Davis Jr.

President and CEO