New Jersey Utility Warns Customers of Outbound Telemarketing Scam
February 13, 2013
By Tracey E. Schelmetic, TMCnet Contributor
New Jersey-based utility Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSE&G) is warning customers this week of an outbound telemarketing scam being perpetrated against some of its customers. PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest investor-owned utility, is warning customers that individuals misrepresenting themselves as PSE&G employees are calling New Jersey residents and threatening to turn off electric and gas service if payment is not made to them that day.
The scam is not unique to PSE&G and has been reported by other regional utility providers. It’s centered around payments using Green Dot MoneyPaks and seems to be targeting Hispanic neighborhoods in PSE&G’s service territory, the Web site NJToday is reporting. GreenDot’s MoneyPak program allows customers to reload a prepaid card or add money to a PayPal (News - Alert) account without a bank account. They are frequently used by low-income residents for both retail purchases and to make payments to utilities and other service providers.
In the scam, customers are being called by someone claiming to be a company representative and are told to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak at a pharmacy or convenience store, use cash to put money onto the card, and then provide the number on the card to the supposed call center agent.
PSE&G is educating customers how to tell legitimate outbound calls from scamming calls: legitimate outbound phone calls to customers will share customer-specific information such as account names, addresses, numbers and current balances. If customers do not receive this correct information, says the company, they likely are not speaking with a PSE&G representative.
“We take very seriously any attempt to defraud our customers,” said Joseph A. Forline, vice president of customer solutions for PSE&G. “We are working closely with law enforcement to investigate these scams. In the meantime, we ask our customers to be wary of callers who demand immediate payment and threaten service termination. When in doubt, hang up and call PSE&G directly at the phone number listed on your bill.”
Edited by Amanda Ciccatelli