Protecting the Community from Deceptive Sales Tactics 

As your local, not-for-profit utility, BrightRidge is 100% committed to our East Tennessee community. We take great pride in being your neighbors – our customer service, engineers, and technicians all live and work right here.

Unlike many for-profit corporations that are headquartered in other locations, every dollar of revenue generated from our Broadband services helps to improve our local infrastructure and service in this community.

 

Warning: Deceptive “Similarity Scams”

Recently, we have been inundated with reports from customers regarding misleading sales tactics from a competing broadband service provider. According to several reports, sales representatives are intentionally preying on name confusion to trick you into switching your internet service.

We want to ensure you have the facts so you can protect your home and your wallet. BrightRidge is NOT affiliated with any other broadband provider. We have documented reports from our customers regarding the following false claims being made to them:

  • The “Equipment Upgrade” Trick: Sales reps may tell you they “need to come into your home to replace your router” or “upgrade the fiber lines.” This is often a deceptive way to get you to sign a new contract that cancels your BrightRidge service.
  • The “Subsidiary” Myth: Representatives may claim their company is a “division,” “subsidiary,” or “parent company” of BrightRidge. This is entirely false.
  • The “Fiber Ownership” Lie: You may be told that BrightRidge “sold its fiber lines” or “rents lines” from a competitor. BrightRidge owns and operates its own state-of-the-art fiber network.
  • The “Utility worker” Impersonation: Some sales reps have represented themselves as utility workers and wear yellow or orange vests to gain entry to homes or build trust.

 

How to Verify a Real BrightRidge Employee

If someone contacts you or comes to your door claiming to be with the “local fiber” or “electric” company:

  1. Check for Local ID: All BrightRidge employees carry official photo identification.
  2. Verify the Vehicle: Look for the BrightRidge logo on the service vehicle.
  3. Call Us Directly: If you are in doubt, do not sign anything. Call our local office at (423) 952-5000 to verify if a service visit was actually scheduled.

 

Know Your Local Providers

It is important to know who is behind the services you use. While BrightRidge is a local government entity and governed by a local board, our competitors have out-of-state headquarters and are owned by global investment groups and shareholders: