Electricity scams reported in Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. -

Some people would do anything to make a buck, even prey on the innocent. We've learned about a new scam that has Bristol, Tennessee Essential Services taking extra precautions.

"I have someone call me every day from an unavailable number but I never answer it," said Keisha Gould

Many people deal with this problem -- they get phone calls from people trying to scam them and the ones with excellent credit tend to be the targets. Unfortunately, we learned from the FBI those folks are usually the elderly.

"They called one day asking information about where her money is and her Social Security number, saying there had been a complaint," said Hollie Binkley. Binkley's grandmother was a target, but Binkley tells us that she knew something was going on. "Thankfully she knew better than to say anything. She called my mom and myself and started telling us what was going on."

The most recent scam we learned of is happening all over America. It is called the 'Energy Assistance Program,' where someone calls you and tells you President Obama is going to pay your electric bill. They say to get the money; you need to give them your Social Security number.

The President of Bristol, Tennessee Essential Services, Mike Browder, says to not fall for it. "That doesn't happen. There is no such program and when people do that they use your bank account number to clean out your account," he said.

Browder says they are even calling in the name of BTES.

Browder encourages people who receive these calls to double-check the source. "We would suggest that you call a phone number that is on your bill or something, and not a phone number that is given to you in a letter, but go verify that it's real," he explained.

Browder told us BTES would never call your home unless you have just signed up for service with them.

If anyone claiming to be from BTES calls asking about your Social Security number or bank information, then they are a fraud. If you happen to receive one of these calls, save the number and call the authorities.