Attention, homeowners: If PSEG Long Island threatens to immediately shut off your power, think twice.
Last year, some 4,150 scam calls were reported to the energy service company, down from the more than 5,900 calls customers reported in 2020, according to a press release. But even still, it’s important to understand the ways that scammers impersonate utility workers to trick customers out of their money.
“While we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead, the pandemic has created lingering financial hardship for many, many people — and that is a target-rich environment for scammers,” Rick Walden, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer services, said in a statement. “They like to create the impression of an urgent problem in the hopes that your panic will prevent you from seeing all the clues that they’re not who they appear to be.
“PSEG Long Island wants customers to know the signs, take a moment to think, and then contact us directly using the number on their bill if they’re still not sure,” he added.
Scammers impersonating PSEG Long Island most frequently threaten to shut off power immediately unless payment is made, and many use phone “spoofing” technology to make their number display on your phone as “PSEG Long Island.”
PSEG Long Island will never request that customers use one specific method of payment, and scammers typically want their victims to transfer money via a web-based electronic payment service, a prepaid debit card, or even Bitcoin, sometimes asking people to buy a prepaid card at the nearest convenience store and then to read them the PIN over the phone — none of which PSEG Long Island accepts as payment.
Sometimes, phone scammers will demand a deposit for a priority meter installation, which PSEG Long Island does not require. If a customer has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially ones that request payment — call the company directly at 1-800-490-0025.
Occasionally, scammers go door to door impersonating PSEG Long Island employees, flashing a fake ID and/or claiming to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms,” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. They generally ask for personal information, which real utility representatives do not do, or offer bogus discounts. Again, if customers have any doubts, do not let the person in and call the company to verify if an employee has been dispatched to the location.
Some scammers purchase web domains that closely resemble the actual URL of a utility and create a fraudulent replica of the legitimate website. Their plan is to dupe users who click on these fake sites via search results, or type in an inaccurate web address. Once on the spoofed site, a visitor is presented a number of bill payment options, all pointing back to an outside bill pay site. PSEG Long Island always uses the “.com” domain.
Customers should also know what PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss over the phone. 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 provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide the correct information, it is likely the customer is 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.
For more information on various payment scams reported in the PSEG Long Island service area, visit psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/scamsandfraud.
Staff Writer on Mar 22, 2022