ERCOT Scam Warning: Towne Lake Residents Urged to Stay Alert Amid Winter Weather
As winter weather sweeps across Texas, residents in Towne Lake and beyond are being urged to stay alert for scam attempts tied to ERCOT—the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. These scams often take advantage of extreme weather events to prey on residents' fears, using convincing language to pose as officials or contractors from the state’s power grid operator.
ERCOT is now issuing a statewide public service announcement to make one thing very clear: ERCOT does not contact individual electricity customers. They will never call, text, or email to ask for personal information, request payment, or schedule home visits. If you receive a suspicious message or phone call, do not respond, do not click links, and do not share any personal or financial details.
Local Encounters Raise Concerns
A recent social media post from a Hearthstone homeowner in Houston details one such encounter. The resident reported receiving a call from someone claiming to represent ERCOT through a company called “Dynamic.” The caller said they were performing energy checks on homes with “high electric bills” as part of an “energy savings plan.”
Although the caller was polite and claimed not to be selling anything, red flags were raised when vague references were made to being a subcontractor and when the conversation turned toward home access and window inspections. After ending the call, the homeowner researched the company and found no clear confirmation of its legitimacy.
Unfortunately, this experience is not isolated.
In another instance shared on Reddit from Pearland, a user described receiving a similar call around June of 2025 from “Dynamic Engineering” about a supposed state weatherization program. The caller claimed they could replace A/C units, attic insulation, or windows at no cost to the homeowner—all under the guise of reducing grid strain.
These tactics, while sophisticated in tone, are scams designed to extract personal data or access your property under false pretenses.
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Know How ERCOT Communicates
ERCOT wants all Texans to know how they share important updates and alerts:
- Official Website: ercot.com
- Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS)
- Emergency Alerts
- ERCOT Mobile App
- Official ERCOT Social Media Accounts
They do not send text messages to individual residents or dispatch contractors to inspect your home.
ERCOT is a nonprofit corporation responsible for managing electricity to over 27 million customers, covering 90% of Texas’ electric load. It does not sell electricity or communicate with consumers directly. Its role is to manage the grid, schedule power, and ensure the reliability of electricity across the state.
With more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and over 1,250 power generation units under its oversight, ERCOT works behind the scenes, not in your inbox or at your doorstep.
What To Do If You’re Targeted
If someone contacts you claiming to be from ERCOT, take these steps:
- Do not engage with unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts.
- Do not allow anyone onto your property without confirmed credentials from your utility provider.
- Report any suspicious activity to your electricity provider or local law enforcement.
- Share this information with neighbors, friends, and family—especially elderly residents who may be more vulnerable to these tactics.
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Stay Safe, Stay Informed
Winter storms create enough challenges without the added threat of scams. Residents of Towne Lake and surrounding neighborhoods are encouraged to be vigilant, trust only official sources, and help spread awareness.
For more winter safety tips, local updates, and official notices, stay connected with your utility provider and trusted community news sources like My Neighborhood News.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
