Extra Jingle In Your Pocket
Be on the lookout for a green line item on your December bill that will make the holidays a little brighter - and the bill load lighter. It's capital credit retirement time, and that means a little extra jingle in the pockets of our members.
 
Capital credits represent a member’s capital participation as a member of WCEC, based on their electricity purchases. Each year, the board of directors of WCEC reviews the financial condition of the cooperative to determine what amount can be paid to members from their capital credit accounts. Their decision is based on the previous year’s margins, and the current financial needs of WCEC. For 2021 the board approved retiring $1 million in capital credits.
 
Payments will be made in the form of a bill credit for accounts receiving credits below $200. WCEC has several billing cycles. The credits will appear on bills mailed from December 7, 2021 through December 30, 2021, and your bill will be reduced by the amount of the credit. For those on pre-pay, the amount will be added as credit on the account and then uploaded as electricity purchased. Checks will be mailed to those with credits of $200 or more.
 
Bill credits are eco-friendly and eliminate costs associated with mailing checks. As a non-profit electric cooperative, WCEC strives to keep your bills low. Bill credits simplify the process for members, and the cooperative, while also saving money.
 
In total, over the last 32 years over $29 million has been returned to our members for a tremendous positive impact on our local economy. Credits earned are not a vested interest in the cooperative. They are only paid out when capital credits on the books are retired. The amount of retired capital credits paid to each member varies depending on the amount of electricity purchased and the number of years as a member of the cooperative.
 
As a reminder, be sure to inform us of any mailing address change to ensure timely receipt of any future payments. If you have such a change or a question about your check, please email us a note at info@wcec.org, or call one of our Member Services Representatives at 903-763-2203.
Don't Let a Scrooge Steal Your Christmas
2021 has been a tough one on all of us. The pandemic has inflicted loss, uncertainty and grief on our community, and all the while, scammers haven't let up. They’re a scourge that just won’t go away. Phone scammers have honed their craft, taking advantage of the anxieties of the times to swindle victims out of billions of dollars.
 
In fact, 1 in 3 Americans reported falling victim to a phone scam in the first year of the pandemic, handing over an average of $502 each time to criminals— a total of $29.8 billion—according to a study by software company Truecaller. Some folks were defrauded more than once. The Insurance Information Institute reported that identity theft and fraud reports were up 45% from 2020.
 
We’ve seen it firsthand at WCEC. Our members have reported a rise in attempted phone scams by people claiming to represent the co-op. The fraudulent callers threaten to disconnect the power unless the victim makes an immediate payment. Please know that WCEC will never call to demand instant payment, and we would never threaten to disconnect your power over the phone.
 
Another type of scam is the over-payment trick, where the scammer claims that you have overpaid your utility bill. The scammer will request your personal banking information to deposit the credit back into your checking account. Don’t fall for this scam! If you make an over-payment on your bill, WCEC will automatically apply the credit to your account, which will carry over to your next billing cycle.
 
Scammers prey on those most vulnerable in our community by exploiting their fears. Utility scammers try to create a sense of urgency so you’ll act fast and hand over personal information or money without thinking. Always take a moment to evaluate the situation before acting.
 
A critical finding of the Truecaller study was that phone scam victims aren’t who you might expect. The majority are between the ages of 18 and 44. We don’t want any of our members to fall victim to this practice, especially during the holiday season. If you receive a suspicious call or text message from someone claiming to represent the co-op, put down the phone and call WCEC directly at 903-763-2203.
 
Following these simple tips will keep your holidays Merry & Bright!
Safety Tip of the Month
Let Your Home Be Bright—and Safe
Holiday Decorations brighten Christmas, but the National Fire Protection Association reports that holiday lights and other light-up decor are involved in an average of 160 house fires each year, causing millions of dollars in property damage. And 12% of home candle fires occur in December—1.5 times the monthly average.
 
Reduce the risk at your house this holiday season by keeping these important considerations in mind.
 
Lights
  • Unlike incandescent bulbs, which generate most of their energy in heat, LEDs are cool to the touch—which also means they’re more energy efficient. LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, and are much more durable.

  •  Before using any lights, check cords to ensure they is no fraying.

  • When hanging lights outdoors, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder and keep well away from power lines.
 
  • Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed. An outlet timer can make this a cinch.
 
  • Never drape anything over a light bulb or lampshade.

Trees
  • If purchasing a live Christmas tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree.
 
  • Cut 1–2 inches from the base of the trunk immediately before placing the tree in the stand and filling with water. This ensures water absorption.
 
  • Refill the tree stand daily with water because heated rooms quickly dry out live trees.
 
  • If purchasing an artificial tree, make sure to check that it’s fire resistant.
 
  • Don’t use electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees with metallic leaves or branch coverings.
 
  • Place your tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators and space heaters.

Other
  • Avoid using candles. Use battery-operated candles in place of traditional flames.
 
  • Do not burn wrapping paper as a means of disposal.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Heading out of town for the holiday season? Remember to unplug electronics that draw a phantom energy load. Some gadgets like phone chargers, gaming consoles and toothbrush chargers use energy when plugged into an outlet––even when they’re not in use.