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How it works: Scammers impersonate companies (banks, delivery services, tech support) and send emails or texts asking you to click a link or provide personal info.
Watch for:
- Urgent messages demanding action (e.g., 'Your account will be locked!')
- Suspicious links or attachments
- Slightly off email addresses (e.g., @paypa1.com instead of @paypal.com)
Avoid it:
- Never click links from unknown or unverified sources
- Verify directly through the official site or app
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA)
How it works: Scammers clone profiles of friends/family and message you for money, investment
opportunities, or donations.
Watch for:
- Messages asking for money or personal info
- New accounts with few friends and little activity
- Poor grammar or unnatural language from people you know
Avoid it:
- Confirm requests through another method (call, FaceTime, etc.)
- Report fake accounts to the platform
- Set privacy controls on your social profiles
How it works: Scammers use AI to mimic the voice of a loved one or boss, calling you and claiming they're in trouble or need money urgently.
Watch for:
- Calls that sound just like someone you know but have odd behavior
- Urgency and pressure to wire money or share info
Avoid it:
- Set a family or business code word for emergencies
- Hang up and call the person back on a trusted number
- Don't trust voice alone - verify with video or text
How it works: Scammers list fake items at low prices and disappear after payment. OR scammers offer you prices that are more than you are asking when selling an item.
Watch for:
- Sellers asking for payments outside the platform.
- Prices that are 'too good to be true'
- New accounts with few reviews
Avoid it:
- Use buyer protection services. NO checks, NO ACH and NO friends and family/gift payments.
- Meet locally in safe areas
- Don't pay via untraceable methods
How it works: Scammers promise huge returns on fake platforms, often impersonating influencers. Often accompanied by real time testimonials and is portrayed by being legitimate.
Watch for:
- Promises of 'guaranteed' or high returns
- Fake screenshots of earnings
- Pressure to act quickly
Avoid it:
- Research platforms thoroughly
- Only use licensed, reputable services
- Be cautious with unsolicited investment tips
How it works: Scammers send text messages pretending to be from the DMV or state toll agencies. These messages often threaten penalties, license points, or even damage to your credit score to create a sense of urgency.
Watch for:
- Texts from unusual or suspicious phone numbers
- Hyperlinks that don’t match the official government website (Do NOT click on these links!)
- Language pressuring you to act immediately
Avoid it:
- Visit the official website by searching for it directly through Google or another trusted search engine
- Contact the agency using a verified phone number found on their official website
- Do not reply to the message or share any personal or financial information
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:
- Account name
- Account address
- Account number
- Amount of current balance.
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.