Learning how to avoid Utility Scams
Scammers continue to pose as PSE&G representatives and prey on unsuspecting victims. PSE&G advises customers to be aware of scammers' methods and to know what to do if they are approached with a request for private account information or a demand for immediate payment. If customers have any doubts about the legitimacy of a PSE&G contact, they should call PSE&G at 800-436-PSEG (7734).
Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) is a supporter of International Fraud Awareness Week and will observe Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 16. Utility Scam Awareness Day was created to raise awareness, educate customers, and expose scammers' tactics.
“Protecting our customers is a top priority. It is critically important we continue to raise awareness and educate customers about how to spot and stop potential scams,” said David Johnson, PSE&G chief customer officer and vice president of Customer Care. “Scammers continue to adapt and develop increasingly sophisticated tactics to take advantage of our customers.”
According to customer information provided to PSE&G in 2022, approximately 1,000 customers reported being a victim of a utility scam or scam attempt.
Scammer tactics are becoming more sophisticated, but utility impostor scams are frequently as simple as a scammer posing in person or over the phone as a customer's local utility representative.
“Customers shouldn’t be afraid to end the interaction if they suspect it is a scam. You can always call PSE&G to confirm,” said Johnson. “Customers will always receive prior notification of past-due balances on their PSE&G bill, and by mail, email or phone, before the possibility of service disconnection. We also work hard to educate about the options available to help them pay their bill.”
PSE&G encourages customers to learn how to identify and avoid potential utility scams.
Detecting potential utility scam activity:
Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) is a supporter of International Fraud Awareness Week and will observe Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 16. Utility Scam Awareness Day was created to raise awareness, educate customers, and expose scammers' tactics.
“Protecting our customers is a top priority. It is critically important we continue to raise awareness and educate customers about how to spot and stop potential scams,” said David Johnson, PSE&G chief customer officer and vice president of Customer Care. “Scammers continue to adapt and develop increasingly sophisticated tactics to take advantage of our customers.”
According to customer information provided to PSE&G in 2022, approximately 1,000 customers reported being a victim of a utility scam or scam attempt.
Scammer tactics are becoming more sophisticated, but utility impostor scams are frequently as simple as a scammer posing in person or over the phone as a customer's local utility representative.
“Customers shouldn’t be afraid to end the interaction if they suspect it is a scam. You can always call PSE&G to confirm,” said Johnson. “Customers will always receive prior notification of past-due balances on their PSE&G bill, and by mail, email or phone, before the possibility of service disconnection. We also work hard to educate about the options available to help them pay their bill.”
PSE&G encourages customers to learn how to identify and avoid potential utility scams.
Detecting potential utility scam activity:
- Threat to disconnect: Scammers may inform customers that their utility bill is past due and that service will be disconnected if payment is not made within an hour.
- Demand for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to buy a prepaid card, gift card, or even Bitcoin, and then call them back to make a phone payment. They may request that the customer use a payment app to make an online payment, or they may instruct the customer to meet in person. After the customer makes the first payment, the scammer will frequently call back to request that the payment be resubmitted due to an error with the amount. The scammer refers to a new amount and promises to refund the original payment.
- Card information request: If a customer calls back with requested information, the scammer asks for the prepaid card's number or gift-card PIN, granting the scammer instant access to the card's funds and vanishing the victim's money.
- In-person demands: Scammers may show up at a person's home or business, flash a fake ID, and/or pose as a utility collection representative. Impostors may dress in "uniforms" or display false company signs on their vehicles. Scammers typically request personal information or offer discounts, which a genuine PSE&G representative would not.
Ways to protect against utility scams:
- In-person demands: Scammers may show up at a person's home or business, flash a fake ID, and/or pose as a utility collection representative. Impostors may dress in "uniforms" or display false company signs on their vehicles. Scammers typically request personal information or offer discounts, which a genuine PSE&G representative would not.
- Be on the lookout for the telltale sign of a scam: someone calling or emailing you asking for payment in pre-paid debit cards or a fund transfer app, or asking you to send money to an out-of-state address.
- Never make a payment or provide account or personal information in person or over the phone, including Social Security numbers or debit/credit card information, unless you are certain you are speaking with a PSE&G representative.
- Customers should also be aware of what PSE&G will and will not discuss on the phone. A legitimate PSE&G representative will request to speak with the "Customer of Record." If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide account information such as the account name, address, and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide accurate information, the customer is most likely not speaking with a PSE&G representative.
- If the "Customer of Record" is not available, the PSE&G representative will decline to discuss the account and will leave a message for the "Customer of Record" to call 1-800-357-2262.
- If customers have concerns about the legitimacy of a call or email, especially one requesting payment, they should contact PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
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