THE Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company Inc. (Cepalco) has once again warned its consumers against personalities who are pretending to be Cepalco's "inspectors" or "collectors."
In a statement, the power distribution utility said it received information that there were men who identified themselves as collectors and inspectors.
Cepalco said these men went inside the houses to either inspect electrical wiring or collect bills.
These men appear to be legitimate Cepalco's employees because they reportedly wear IDs too.
But Cepalco clarified that it has no field collectors and that bill collections are made in its offices and accredited collecting banks and centers.
Cepalco also reminded the public that its inspectors only check the electric meter if necessary and they are not directed to enter the houses.
"Gihangyo ang si bisan kinsang mabisitahan aning mga Cepalco impostors sa pag contact sa Cepalco or ireport sa kapolisan (requesting those who were visited by Cepalco imposters to contact Cepalco or report to the police)," Cepalco said in a statement.
Marilyn Chavez, Cepalco's assistant vice president and head of customer and community relations department, said they will file necessary cases against anyone caught using the name of the distribution utility to collect bills from consumers.
"Kung naa madakpan, we will file cases kay gigamit gud among pangalan pero so far wala pay nadakpan (if there will be caught, we will file cases because of using the company name, but so far no one gets arrested," she said.
She also said there was once an incident that an impostor was recorded by the police but were not criminally charged because there were no items stolen inside the house the suspect had ransacked.
Chavez said Cepalco is constantly reminding the public for safety precaution.
"Recurring ni nga concern (this is a recurring concern since) years back pa ug amo ning ibalik-balik para ma-remind ang publiko nga walay field collector ang Cepalco (and we are reminding again the public that Cepalco has no field collectors," Chavez said.