PSE&G: Beware of Payment Scam

PSE&G alerts customers of a new scam in which individuals misrepresenting themselves as PSE&G employees threaten to turn off electric and gas service if payment is not made that day. 

The scam has been reported across county and seems to be targeting Hispanic neighborhoods, PSE&G reports. 

Here is how the scam works: 

• A Spanish- or English-speaking personpretending to be a PSE&G employee calls customers saying their service would be disconnected if they do not make a payment using a prepaid debit card. In some cases, the call is prerecorded.
• Customers 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 person who called them.
• Customers are advised that if they do not immediately call back and provide the MoneyPak information, their service will be turned off that day.
• Typically, after the customer provides that MoneyPak number, the scammer transfers the funds to a prepaid card, and cashes it in at an ATM.

“We take very seriously any attempt to defraud our customers,” said Joseph 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.”

If customers feel uncomfortable and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734 or visit a local PSE&G Customer Service Center.