There has been a recent uptick in scammers posing as utility employees over the phone and demanding payment, PSEG Long Island warned this week.
According to PSEG, customers have been receiving calls that appear on caller ID to be from PSEG. The imposters threaten to shut off service unless an immediate payment is made via prepaid card, wire transfer or bitcoin. A callback number is provided that, when called, may sound like a real PSEG service line.
PSEG advised that it will never ask customers to pay with prepaid cards, wire transfers or bitcoin and noted that scammers choose these methods of payment because they are untraceable.
Customers who receive such a call are advised to hang up and never dial the number the scammer provided. Instead, call only the number found on a PSEG bill.
“To better protect customers, it is critically important we continue to raise awareness and educate the public about scams,” said Rick Walden, the PSEG Long Island vice president of customer operations, in a statement. “If you receive a call from anyone demanding immediate payment, do not give them any personal or account information. Hang up the phone and call PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0025.”
For more information, visit psegliny.com/scam.
on Feb 25, 2019