VECO warns customers vs fake collectors

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayan Electric Cooperative Incorporated (VECO) is warning its customers to pay their bills only at authorized collection centers as no collector has been authorized to collect payments from households or anywhere outside the collection centers.

The power distributor learned from consumers that there were instances when some individuals pretend to be a VECO collector, telling people that they can get discounts from VECO. The fake collector will use a check in paying the bills and it will be too late for them to discover that the check has insufficient funds.

Consumers who were victimized complained after getting disconnection notices even after they “already paid their bills.”

VECO said the company could not be held liable for the payments the victims made. It also disclosed that for accounts that were paid through inactive account checks or drawn against insufficient funds, VECO will be compelled to tag these accounts for cash basis payments for one year.

VECO is advising the public to call the nearest police station if ever any fake collectors attempt to victimize them.

For a list of authorized collection centers, consumers can visit their website at www.veco.com.ph or contact their call center at 230-8326. (FREEMAN)