New BGE Robocall Scam Threatens MD Residents With Shutoff

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A wave of automated phone calls this week by scammers threatened to shut off utilities to Baltimore Gas & Electric customers if they didn't transfer money to the bogus callers, state officials said. Hundreds of residents then called a state office in response.

“These crooks are stoking fear with automated phone calls that sound legitimate, and trying to intimidate recipients into sending money they do not owe,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a news release. “Do not fall for it. ... Customers should remain vigilant and always double-check whether the calls are authentic.”

On Monday, the comptroller’s Unclaimed Property Section received an influx of phone calls from BGE customers reporting that they had received scam calls threatening to shut off their power if they did not return a call within 30 minutes. Customers were told to send money via fund transfer services to avoid having their power cut.

The automated calls provided an 800 number to call back, but residents’ caller ID showed it was placed from 410-767-1700, which is the comptroller's Unclaimed Property Section’s main number. Over a two-day period, the unit received more than 300 calls in reference to the scam, according to a press release.

This type of scam uses spoofing technology in an attempt to trick victims that the call is coming from a legitimate source. Anyone who has received such a call should contact BGE at 1-800-685-0123 or consult their website for more information.

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If you have received a call from someone impersonating a utility company representative, who asks you to make an immediate payment via a prepaid card or money transfer, call the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 to report it.