CASSOPOLIS — A new scam may be on the rise in southwest Michigan.

Midwest Energy and Communications has received numerous reports from business and residential customers recently related to a telephone collection scam. Callers are identifying as Midwest Energy and Communications and alerting customers of a high account balance. They threaten customers with disconnection if they do not make payment.

Midwest said that customers should know that when MEC calls regarding account or billing issues, the caller ID shows (269) 445-1000, which is the cooperative’s local Cassopolis number. The scam call is coming from a toll-free number that is not associated with MEC.

MEC customers who receive a questionable collection call are urged to contact the cooperative at (800) 492-5989 to confirm the legitimacy of the inquiry.