* * * CONSUMER ALERT for CO-OP MEMBERS * * *
FALSE TELEMARKETING CALLS NOT FROM BRUNSWICK EMC, FOUR COUNTY ENC OR PROGRESS ENERGY

September 30, 2005 - - - Brunswick Electric and North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives report that consumers living in southeastern North Carolina have received phone calls from telemarketers falsely identifying themselves as representing Four County EMC, Brunswick EMC and Progress Energy. The telemarketers, calling themselves “Consumer Segment Marketing,” are based out of Atlanta and have in some cases requested private information. This group is NOT affiliated with BEMC, or with any other of NC’s electric co-ops or Progress Energy, according to officials from both organizations.

The bogus telemarketing group is offering a program to install windows to make homes more energy efficient. The group also claims that they conduct telephone surveys for the cooperatives - - this is FALSE information.

“Be wary of any group calling on behalf of the electric cooperatives that asks personal questions, such as for bank account information,” said Judy Gore, Vice President of Customer Service for BEMC. “Should you receive a phone call from a person stating they are from the Consumer Segment Marketing group, please contact BEMC immediately. Do not give out your personal information.”

Please notify BEMC if you receive one of these calls, noting the date and time of the call, and if possible the name of the telemarketing representative.

Brunswick EMC: 800-842-5871

Four County EMC: 910-259-8210