As the leaves begin to change and we settle into the routines of fall, it’s a good time to take stock of a few things around the house—preparing for cooler weather, checking the heating systems and getting ready for the months ahead. It’s also a good time to refresh our cybersecurity habits.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but protecting your personal information is something that deserves attention all year long.
At Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC), cybersecurity is a critical part of providing safe, reliable electric service. While much of our focus is on protecting the physical systems that operate the electric grid, we also work to protect the systems and information that help us serve you—including online accounts, payment systems, member portals and outage communications.
Unfortunately, scammers are becoming more sophisticated, too. Artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier for cyber criminals to create convincing emails, text messages, websites, and even voice messages that can look and sound legitimate. The FBI has warned that generative AI can make fraudulent schemes more believable by eliminating many of the errors that once helped us identify a scam.
That matters when it comes to utility scams.
A scammer may impersonate CWEC and claim your account is past due, your service is about to be disconnected, or you need to make an immediate payment. The message might even include our logo, use professional-looking language, or direct you to a website that appears legitimate. With AI helping scammers create more convincing communications, simply looking for spelling mistakes or other obvious warning signs may no longer be enough. And these scams are not a small problem.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, making these types of scams the most commonly reported type of fraud. Nearly one in three fraud reports involved an imposter scam.
So, what should you do if you receive an unexpected message claiming to be from CWEC?
If a message creates a sense of urgency or threatens immediate disconnection, take a moment to verify it. Don’t click the link or call the phone number provided in the message. Instead, contact CWEC directly using our trusted methods. You can reach us by phone at 715-677-2211; or by email at cwec@cwecoop.com.
You can also take steps to protect your online accounts before a scam occurs. Start with your password. Longer is generally better than simply adding more special characters. Choose a long, unique passphrase that is difficult for others to guess, and don’t reuse the same password across multiple accounts.
If the accounts you access online offer multifactor authentication (MFA), consider using it. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring an additional way to verify your identity, such as a code sent to your phone or an authentication app.
Most importantly, remember that you don’t have to make a payment simply because someone tells you that you do. We want you to have an opportunity to verify any unexpected request.
CWEC is committed to protecting the systems that help us deliver your electricity and serve our members. You can help by protecting your own account, slowing down when something seems urgent, and contacting us directly when you’re unsure.
For questions about your account or payment options, contact CWEC at 715-677-2211 or cwec@cwecoop.com.