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Scam Warnings
PECO is asking municipal leaders to inform your constituents of a scamming attempt that is targeting utility customers across the country. As part of the scam, customers are being contacted and told that their account is in arrears and they will have their service terminated if they do not make immediate payment. The scammer tells the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit card, in random amounts, from a local pharmacy or convenience store. The customer is then directed to contact a number to utilize the card for immediate payment to their account. Once the information is provided to the scammer, the funds on the card are removed. PECO will always contact customers directly before terminating service. Customers will receive a notice 10 days prior to termination, followed by a second notice 72 hours in advance. We will also contact customers by phone within 24 to 48 hours before service is shut off. PECO offers these tips for customers to help avoid scams: If customers receive a call from someone stating they are calling to collect a bill payment for PECO, the caller should be able to provide specific information including:
If the caller cannot provide this information, it is likely the call is not coming from PECO. In this case, customers should not provide any information, and call the company immediately at 1-800-494-4000 to report the situation. Customers should never provide your social security number, or banking or credit card information via the phone, unless they have initiated the call. Customers should not provide anyone access to your home who claims to be from PECO, or a contractor working for PECO, unless the person has proper identification. Customers can always contact the company at 1-800-494-4000 to confirm an official visit. Finally, if customers receive a call, they should contact the local authorities and PECO.
GRANDPARENTS SCAM A new phone scam has been brought to our attention through a citizen’s complaint on February 14, 2011. An elderly couple received a phone called stating that their granddaughter was in trouble and had been arrested. The called stated that he was an attorney and that their granddaughter was available to speak with. The caller placed a female on the phone. She stated that she was arrested and that she needed to have money sent to her to bail her out and pay for the attorney. They suggested Western Union and the total was $5200.00. The “attorney” then returned to the line and provided an address in London, England. He stated that his main office is there, but has an office in New York City as well. The grandparents went to Western Union and provided $5200.00. The manager at Western Union noticed the amount of money and the address and held the money from being sent. To the grandparent’s relief, they found out that their granddaughter was okay. They returned to the store to get their money back, thanks to the manager’s suspicions. The scam started out as a simple phone call. There were no names said and the point of the scam is to cause confusion and panic. When the caller stated “granddaughter”, the victim immediately said her granddaughter’s name which provided the caller the needed information to keep the scam going. Please click on the links below to be alert for on-going scams:
www.consumerfraudreporting.org
E-MAIL SCAMS E-mails requesting you to check or update an account you already have through a banking institution, on-line purchasing location, etc. is an e-mail scam that is growing in popularity. You receive an e-mail stating that you need to check an on-line account. The e-mail will usually read there is a problem with your account which requires your assistance. The e-mail will look authentic and the scammers will use graphics from the actual site. The e-mail will tell you to click on a link that will direct you to your account. When you click on the link, it will take you to a site that again appears to be the actual site. It will ask you to verify your personal information or ask you for a username and password. When you click submit, you have just given the information to the scammers for them to steal your identity or to access your account. Anytime you receive an e-mail like this, do the following: DO NOT click on the link !!! Open a new window and go to the site manually, then log on to the account in question. If there is a problem, it will let you know there. Contact the institution either by phone or e-mail. Usually the institution will ask you to forward the e-mail to them to investigate. Most companies WILL NOT ask for personal information or ask you to click a link to your account. If there is a problem with your on-line account they will ask you to manually go to your account and log in normally.
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