Utility Bill Scams Making The Rounds In Rockland, Orange Counties

PEARL RIVER, NY — With schools out and the July 4th holiday behind us, the scammer season is now in full swing, say officials at Orange & Rockland Utilities. Crooks, it seems, count on an unsuspecting public letting down its guard as summer recreational and relaxation activities pick up their pace.

So O&R is warning the public about the latest rash of phony-bill payment schemes in which imposters pose as utility company representatives and call customers, demanding immediate payment for what the crooks fraudulently claim are delinquent electric and gas bills.

These scammers threaten their victims alleging their service will be disconnected if they do not make an immediate payment using a prepaid debit card or even a credit card. (For more news like this, sign up for Patch's daily newsletter, news alerts and updates.)

Here's a fact: O&R does not accept payment from prepaid debit cards.

O&R urges anyone who is contacted in this fashion to break off contact with the crooks and call O&R Customer Service at 1-877-434-4100.

In fact, if you are contacted by anyone who says they represent O&R and you wish to verify their identity, call O&R to make sure the caller is an O&R representative and the nature of their business with you.

Remember, when in doubt, hang up the phone or break off contact, and call O&R at 1-877-434-4100 to verify that the person you are dealing with is an O&R representative conducting legitimate company business.

Image via Shutterstock

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