'Sophisticated' Utility Scams On The Rise: PSEG

LONG ISLAND, NY — Utility scams are on the rise, according to PSEG Long Island.

Customers are urged to be on the alert for "increasingly sophisticated scams that continue to target utility customers across the nation," PSEG said.

In recent weeks, customers have reported phone scammers pretending to be PSEG Long Island employees, in some cases with caller ID reading “PSEG Long Island.” The scammers demand payment for past-due bills or priority AMI install and threaten to have electric service shut off if payment isn’t remitted immediately, PSEG said in a release.

In 2018 more than 4,088 scams were reported to PSEG Long Island, a 75% increase over 2017. In total, the utility has received reports of more than 10,000 scams over the past five years, with a 6% victim rate, PSEG said.

“To better protect customers, it is critically important we continue to raise awareness and educate the public about scams,” said Rick Walden, vice president, customer operations, PSEG Long Island. “If you receive a call from anyone demanding immediate payment, do not give them any personal or account information. Hang up the phone and call PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0025.”

With the scam, a call is generated with a phony PSEG Long Island caller ID and someone pretending to be a PSEG Long Island employee says that, without immediate payment via a pre-paid card — for example, a Green Dot Money Pak, or Vanilla reload card, or bitcoin, PSEG said — their service will be shut off.

If the victim takes the bait, the scammer gives them a telephone number to call after they have purchased the card or bitcoin. When customers call that number, they hear interactive voice response prompts that imitate those that they would hear when calling the authentic PSEG Long Island customer service line, PSEG said.

When the fake representative answers, they ask for the number on the back of the pre-paid card. After the scammers have that number, they take the money from the card — usually within minutes. If a bitcoin payment is demanded, the scammers will ask customers to deposit at a certain location, PSEG said.

PSEG Long Island said the company would never require customers to use one specific payment type. The utility offers a variety of payment options, but it does not accept pre-paid debit cards or bitcoin, PSEG added.

PSEG Long Island customers scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice on their bill at least 10 days in advance.

If you get a call

- Know what PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss. A genuine PSEG Long Island representative will ask to speak to the customer of record. If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and share the account name, address and current balance. If you do not receive the correct information from the person on the phone, you are likely not speaking with a PSEG Long Island representative.

- If the customer of record is not available, the PSEG Long Island representative will not discuss the account at all and ask that a message be left for the customer of record to call PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0025.

Email scams, too

PSEG Long Island also told customers to beware of emails that appear to be bills from the utility. The emails request personal information, leading to identity theft, PSEG said.

PSEG Long Island does not ask customers to provide personal information online without first logging into "My Account," the utility said. "Do not provide any personal information requested by email. Do not download any attachments, and do not click on any links in the email. Open a browser window and click here to log into My Account to get accurate account information," a release added.

Unannounced visits

Recently, PSEG Long Island has also received reports of door-to-door solicitors from solar companies and energy service companies impersonating PSEG Long Island employees or approved vendors. Reports have also been received of subjects impersonating PSEG Long Island employees to gain entry to homes and steal items, the utility said.

PSEG Long Island employees should be wearing a PSEG Long Island ID badge and PSEG Long Island-branded clothing. Anyone who doubts the identity of a visitor claiming to be from the utility company should do not allow them access to the home. Call 1-800-490-0025 to determine if PSEG Long Island employees are in the area. If unable to verify that PSEG Long Island employees are present, individuals should call 911.

Any customer who has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — should call the utility directly at 1-800-490-0025 or visit a local PSEG Long Island customer service center. Service centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with locations listed on customer bills and online here.

For additional information on various payment scams in the PSEG Long Island service area and around the country, click here.