Duquesne Light: Don't Fall For Phone Scammers

PITTSBURGH, PA — Duquesne Light is warning its residential customers not to fall for a recent rash of "call spoofing" where scammers fraudulently claim to be employees of the company.

As part of the scam, telemarketers are manipulating their caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from Duquesne Light's authentic customer service line (412-393- 7100). The scammer falsely claims the customer has an outstanding balance in arrears and threatens a shut-off of their electric service within 30 minutes if there is not an immediate payment made on the alleged past due amount.

Here's what Duquesne Light wants customers to know:

• Customers should not make a payment to anyone calling to demand immediate payment. They should hang up and call the customer service line directly at (412) 393-7100.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Duquesne Light has suspended late fees and shut-offs for all customers. Even during normal operations, utility shut-off notices constitute a series of notifications that would never involve a threat of a 30-minute shut-off.
• While the scammer will indicate a specific dollar amount for the alleged past-due amount in order to make their call seem more believable, there is no evidence that any customer records have been compromised. Customers are encouraged to login to their account to review their account status. Alternatively, customers can contact the customer service line to request details on the current status of their account.
• If a customer determines from a review of their account online or from a call with our customer service representatives that they do have a past due amount, there are payment arrangements and assistance programs that our customer representatives would be happy to discuss further with the customer.