PECO Scammer Bilks Delaware County Resident: State Police

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA — A Newtown Square resident got scammed by someone posing as a PECO employee recently, according to authorities.

Pennsylvania State Police said the incident occurred in early January.

According to police, a 59-year-old woman in Newtown Square called police at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5.

A person purporting to be a PECO worker targeted the woman with a "shut off" scam.

According to PECO, these scammers contact PECO customers and falsely claim their electric or natural gas service will be disconnected unless payment is made immediately.

Police said the scammer was able to steal $1,798 from the victim though a mobile transfer of funds.

PECO says scammers "aggressively target utility company customers."

Customers should never give out account or billing information to an unverified person.

PECO customers who get a suspicious phone call, text message, email, or have an unscheduled visit from someone in-person claiming to be from PECO are urged to not share information and call PECO directly at 800-494-4000.

PECO offered the below tips for customers to stay safe:

• PECO will NEVER DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT, nor will we ever require one specific form of payment, such as a prepaid card, bitcoin, or third-party digital money transfers.
  • For approved payment methods and options, visit peco.com/payment.
• DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION. A real PECO representative will have the account information they need when they call.
  • Keep your banking and financial information safe. You can update your banking information through your MyAccount or make a payment through an approved method at peco.com/payment.
• CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT STATUS, BALANCES, PAYMENTS, AND SUPPLIER INFORMATION YOURSELF on your printed bill or log on to your PECO MyAccount or download the PECO mobile app.

Customers suspicious of someone claiming to be from PECO should call PECO directly at 800-494-4000.