Scammers impersonating utility companies routinely target ratepayers, threatening them with immediate shutoff of their service if they don’t send money immediately. Some scammers will call, and others may even show up on doorsteps.
In observance of Utility Scam Awareness Day last week, PSEG Long Island shared advice to help ratepayers avoid falling victim to common scams.
“The theme of this year’s Utility Scam Awareness Day is ‘Anytime, Anyone, Anywhere,’ and we want all customers to stay vigilant against utility impostor scams,” said Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer operations. “It may be an advanced digital scam, an in-person scammer or a telephone call, but nearly all scammers try to blindside you with an urgent problem in the hopes that you panic and miss all the clues that they’re not who they appear to be. If you are unexpectedly contacted by someone claiming to be from PSEG Long Island and threatening to immediately shut off your power without payment, take a step back and contact PSEG Long Island independently to verify before acting.”
Many scammers demand immediate payment via web-based electronic payment services. PSEG Long Island does not accept external, web-based electronic payment services (outside of payments through My Account) as a method of payment.
Scammers impersonating PSEG Long Island most frequently threaten to shut off power immediately unless payment is made.
Many scammers use phone “spoofing” technology to make their number display on your phone as “PSEG Long Island.”
PSEG Long Island will never request that customers use one specific method of payment.
Scammers typically want their victims to transfer money via a web-based electronic payment service, a prepaid debit card, or even Bitcoin, sometimes asking people to buy a prepaid card at the nearest convenience store and then to read them the PIN over the phone.
PSEG Long Island does not accept web-based electronic payment services, prepaid debit cards or Bitcoin as payment.
Sometimes phone scammers will demand a deposit for a priority meter installation. PSEG Long Island does not require a deposit for meter installations.
A customer with doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — can call the company directly at 1-800-490-0025.
Occasionally, scammers may go door to door impersonating PSEG Long Island employees, flashing a fake ID and/or claiming to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. The scammers generally ask for personal information, which real utility representatives do not do, or offer bogus discounts. Again, if customers have any doubts, they should not let the person in, and should call 1-800-490-0025 to verify.
PSEG Long Island employees must carry a company ID and present it when requested. If customers have doubts, do not let the person into the house and call 1-800-490-0025 to have a customer service representative verify that an employee has been dispatched to the location. An actual PSEG Long Island employee will respect the customer’s decision and remain outside. If the person escalates their efforts to enter the home, customers should consider calling 911.
Some scammers purchase web domains that closely resemble the actual URL of a utility and create a fraudulent replica of the legitimate website. Their plan is to dupe users who click on these fake sites via search results, or type in an inaccurate web address. Once on the spoofed site, a visitor is presented a number of bill payment options, all pointing back to an outside bill pay site.
A genuine PSEG representative calling in the phone will ask to speak to the customer of record. If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide the correct information, it is likely the customer is not speaking with a PSEG representative.
Staff Writer on Nov 25, 2024