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A warning has been issued by a South Jersey utility company following a significant rise in fraudulent attempts to steal money. Atlantic City Electric reported a 64 percent increase in customer losses due to scams during the last quarter of the previous year compared to the same period the year before. The total loss for customers in 2023 exceeded $205 thousand.
Scammers typically warn customers of a service shutdown unless immediate payment is made. However, it such calls regarding overdue bills are not made by utility companies.
Reports have increased of individuals falsely claiming to be representatives of Atlantic City Electric. These impersonators often instruct customers to purchase prepaid credit cards and provide personal identification numbers or other personal information.
Another tactic used by scammers is 'spoofing' - manipulating the displayed Caller ID number to appear as an Atlantic City Electric number. Customers should also be cautious of people posing as utility workers seeking access to their homes. These impostors often carry official-looking credentials and usually work in pairs.
Atlantic City Electric has reminded customers that representative will ever ask for cash or suggest purchasing a prepaid credit card to make a bill payment. Concerns about account status should be directed to the Atlantic City Electric Customer Service line at the number 1-800-833-7476.
Safety measures include not opening doors to unfamiliar individuals and asking for photo identification through a window. All employees and contractors of Atlantic City Electric carry company identification badges with their name, photograph, and identification number. Verification can be sought by contacting Atlantic City Electric.
If customers suspect they are victims of a phone scam, it is recommended to report the suspicious activity to the police.