Scammers are cunning. They’re conniving. They play on your emotions, and in many cases, they use fea...

New year, same-old scammers.

Even if you can manage to avoid one, two new ones can pop up. Scammers are cunning. They're conniving. They play on your emotions, and in many cases, they use fear against you.

It's going to keep happening, unfortunately, and the best thing we can do is warn you of some of the red flags. Sometimes it's a door knock, other times it's a text or email, and oftentimes it's a phone call.

"Winter bill relief" scams: Crooks love high winter bills - they'll dangle fake discounts or "relief programs" and then ask for upfront payments or personal info. Some even claim they'll pay your whole bill for a small fee.

Reality check: Your utility will never ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps. If an offer sounds good but feels shady, call Clay Electric directly at 1-800-224-4917 - not the number in a sketchy message.

Search-engine mishaps: Typing "Clay Electric" into a search bar can drop you onto a scam listing. Some members have accidentally called fakes and gotten pressured to hand over a big credit-card deposit.

Play it safe: Skip the search. Go straight to ClayElectric.com or the MyClayElectric app for legit contact info or to request new service.

Door-to-door solar pitches: People may show up claiming they're working with Clay Electric to sell solar systems.

Truth: Clay Electric doesn't sell solar units, partner with installers, or share your info with salespeople. If you're curious about solar, head to ClayElectric.com/solar-right-me.

Bottom line, if anything feels off, hang up and call 1-800-224-4917. And yes - it's absolutely fine to be suspicious and report anything that smells like a scam.