PSE&G Warns South Brunswick Customers Of Utility Scam

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - PSE&G is warning customers about utility scams, particularly those that demand immediate bill payment.

The utility cpmany said it will continue to educate customers on how to guard against becoming victims of impostor utility scams. “Protecting our customers is a top priority. It is critically important we continue to raise awareness and educate customers about how to spot and stop potential scams,” Jane Bergen, director of billing, Customer Care for PSE&G said in a statement.

“Scammers continue to adapt and develop increasingly sophisticated tactics to take advantage of our customers.”

Scammers use calls, texts, emails and in-person tactics to contact utility customers often asking for immediate payment to avoid service disconnection.

PSE&G said that it would not send just one notification to a customer within an hour of a service disconnection. The company will also never ask payments in the form of a prepaid debit card, gift card, cryptocurrency or third-party digital payment via fund transfer applications.

Recent phone scams reported to PSE&G include demands for payment for past-due bills or priority meter installations. Often scammers will threaten to disconnect electric service if payment is not made immediately.

Here are signs of potential scam activity:

• Threat to disconnect service usually within an hour.
• Request for immediate payment through 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.
• Scammers can also 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.
• Scammers often request a prepaid card’s number or gift-card PIN, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.

If a customer has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — call the company directly at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).

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