MoneyPak Scam Targets Businesses: Annapolis Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A scam where a caller poses as a Baltimore Gas and Electric Company representative demanding payment for bogus utility bills by Green Dot MoneyPak cards has resurfaced, Annapolis Police warned Saturday. Two businesses in the city reported receiving a phone call from someone asking for payment for a utility bill by prepaid or Green Dot MoneyPak cards.

The caller ID showed the call coming from a BGE number, but this was a spoofed call, meaning the scammer copied the utility's phone number. BGE will never call and ask for payment by Green Dot MoneyPak or prepaid other cards like this, police said.

Annapolis Police warns BGE customers to verify the identity of anyone calling about their account, especially calls about payment. This telephone scam is often referred to as the "Green Dot" Visa credit card scam as criminals request the "Green Dot" card in many instances. In some cases, the scam even incorporates a phone number for customers to call and a fake BGE voice recording.

The utility says callers claim to represent BGE and tell customers their service will be shut off unless they pay by purchasing a "Green Dot" card. The customers are then told to call another phone number and hand over its 16-digit security code.

To avoid this scam, BG&E customers should ask for the name on the account, the address and the exact past-due balance. If the caller cannot provide that information, customers should not provide any payment or information.

Utility customers can safely make payments by calling 800.685.0123, online, by mail and at authorized America's Cash Express and Global Express locations. For any questions about accepted BGE payment methods, payment options, or to verify the identification of anyone requesting customer information or entry into a home or business, call 800.685.0123.

MoneyPaks are sold at local stores and major retailers, and provide a convenient way to pay bills online and make purchases on the Internet without risk to their bank accounts.

BGE and MoneyPak offer these tips to help protect users from fraud:

• If you receive a call claiming that your BGE service will be terminated unless you make a payment by purchasing a cash gift card, hang up immediately, call police and then report the incident to BGE by calling 800.685.0123.
• Do NOT provide any personal information to the caller; do NOT purchase a gift card.
• If someone says they are a BGE employee and asks to enter your home or business, ask for their employee information. If you are approached in person, ask to see a photo ID, which should display the BGE logo, a name, photograph and identification number. Call BGE at 1.800.685.0123 and a representative can verify the employee and the nature of the visit or phone call.
• Take note of BGE’s official methods of payment. Customers can pay their bills by calling the BGE customer contact center at 800.685.0123, online, by mail and at authorized America’s Cash Express and Global Express locations. Customers can visit bge.com to learn more about payment options.
• Never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don't know.
• Do not give receipt information about your MoneyPak purchase to another party.
• Use your MoneyPak only to reload your prepaid cards or accounts you control. Refuse any offer that asks you to buy a MoneyPak and share the number or receipt information by email or phone.
• Don't email your MoneyPak number directly to any merchant.

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