Livingston Township: Utility Scam Awareness Day: Be Aware Of Scammers' Tactics

Press release from the Livingston Township:

November 14, 2023

If someone calls and threatens to immediately shut off the power, it’s likely fraudulent.

Autumn’s cool temperatures and wet weather are in full effect, but scammers are still putting the heat on homes and businesses in New Jersey, impersonating PSE&G and area utilities and demanding immediate payment. On Utility Scam Awareness Day, November 15, PSE&G urges customers to be aware of scammers' tactics and know what to do if confronted with a demand for payment and a threat of imminent shutoff: Get the truth from the real PSE&G at 800-436-7734.

Signs of potential scam activity:

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively tell the customer their utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected if a payment is not made — usually within an hour.
• Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card, a gift card or even Bitcoin, and then to call them back to make a phone payment. Scammers may request that the customer use a payment app to make an online payment, or even give instructions for an in-person meeting. Many times after the customer makes the first payment, the scammer will call back to ask for the payment to be resubmitted due to an error with the amount. The scammer refers to a new amount and claims that the original payment will be refunded.
• In person-demands: Scammers may arrive at a home or business, flash a fake ID and/or claim to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. The scammers generally ask for personal information or offer discounts, which a real PSE&G representative would not do.

Protect yourself against scams:

• Be alert to the telltale sign of a scam: someone asking by telephone or email for payment in pre-paid debit cards or a MoneyGram transfer, or to send money to an out-of-state address.
• Never arrange payment or divulge account or personal information, including Social Security numbers or debit or credit card information, over the telephone unless you are certain you are speaking to a PSE&G representative.
• Customers should also know what PSE&G will and won’t discuss over the phone. A genuine PSE&G representative will ask to speak to the “Customer of Record.” If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and the representative will provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide the correct information, it is likely not a PSE&G representative.
• If the “Customer of Record” is not available, the PSE&G representative will not discuss the account at all and ask that a message be left for the “Customer of Record” to call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
• If a customer has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — hang up and call the company directly at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).

This press release was produced by the Livingston Township. The views expressed here are the author’s own.