BGE Warns: Don't Fall For Utility Scams This Holiday Season

MARYLAND, MD — Utility customers are at an increased risk of being scammed during the holidays, warn BGE officials, who routinely see an uptick in schemes at this time of year. People pretending to be company representatives are trying to trick customers into providing personal or financial information and making false payments under the pretense of keeping their service active. BGE is joining more than 100 utility companies across the United States and Canada to protect customers from scams targeting electric, natural gas, water and other utility users.

Companies have designated Nov. 20 as “Utilities United Against Scams Day,” part of an advocacy and awareness campaign focused on educating customers and exposing the tactics used by scammers. BGE and its sister Exelon companies, Atlantic City Electric, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco, are committed to putting a stop to scamming, officials said.

This year, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh’s office also is working with BGE to help educate consumers about how to avoid scams. So far in 2019, BGE customers have reported losing close to $170,000 to scammers and imposters. According to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, in the last three years, the office has received more than 61 utility scam complaints and some victims have reported losing as much as $4,000 to the scams.

"Utilities United Against Scams Day is very important for BGE,” said Rodney Oddoye, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE in a statement. "Unfortunately, scammers are constantly changing their tactics and it’s important that our customers have the most up to date information on these scams in order to help them avoid becoming victims.”

“Utility scammers use fear and intimidation to get you to believe your electricity, water, or other utility shut off is imminent,” added Frosh. “Legitimate utilities would never give only one hour’s notice. These scammers don’t just go after individuals; business owners should also be suspicious if they receive a call or visit from someone threatening to shut off a utility. Always contact the utility directly using the telephone number on your bill if you suspect there is problem.”

Scammers will often call, text, or email utility customers asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. As a reminder, utilities will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption and they never will ask their customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, or any form of cryptocurrency.

Scammers have even duplicated the upfront Interactive Voice Response system of some companies, so when customers call the number provided by the scammer, it sounds like a legitimate business. Some scammers also use caller ID "spoofing" to replicate a utility's phone number.

Red flags for scam activity

• The scammer often becomes angry and tells a customer his or her account is past due and service will be shut off if a large payment isn't made – usually within less than an hour.
• The scammer instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card – widely available at most retail stores – then call him or her back to make a payment.
• The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card's receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the funds loaded to the card.
• The scammer asks for a copy of the customer’s utility bill.

How to protect yourself

• Utility representatives will never ask or require a customer with a past due balance to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
• Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal, mail or in person.
• Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.
• If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call BGE at 800-685-0123.
• BGE already has your account information and past bills. If you are authorizing a legitimate third party energy supplier to switch your energy supply, they will need you to disclose your electric choice ID or natural gas choice ID at the time you are authorizing to be switched to their service. If you do not intend to switch your energy supplier, do not provide your choice ID number(s) or a copy of your bill to anyone.

Don't Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions:

• Never provide your social security number or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers.
• Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
• Never give payment in any form- cash, check, or credit- to anyone coming to your door.

Any customer who believes he or she has been a target of a scam is urged to contact their local police and call BGE immediately at 800-685-0123 to report the situation.