PSEG Long Island warns of ‘legit’ looking scammers

PSEG Long Island is urging residents and business owners to be more wary and offering information for customers on protection from scammers.

Nearly 4,000 scam calls have been reported to PSEG Long Island this year, compared with 4,088 scam calls reported in 2018. While recent weeks have seen an uptick in the number of people tricked by the calls,

PSEG officials said the most common scam, phone scamming, has become more frequent and more sophisticated. Customers have reported phone calls that seem legitimate because the caller ID reads “PSEG Long Island.”

Recent phone scams reported to PSEG include demands for payment for past-due bills or priority meter installations. Scammers threaten to disconnect electric service if payment is not immediate. They often demand payment through a pre-paid card. If the victim takes the bait, the scammer provides a phone number where a fake representative requests additional information that completes the fraudulent transaction. Should customers receive a call from anyone demanding immediate payment. Hang up and call PSEG at (800) 490-0025.

Customers should know that a real PSEG representative will ask to speak to the customer of record. If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person does not provide the correct information, more than likely they are not from PSEG.

If the customer of record is not available, the PSEG Long Island representative will not discuss the account and ask that a message be left for that person to call (800) 490-0025. PSEG also cautions customers to beware of emails that appear to be bills from the utility. These emails request personal information that could lead to identity theft.

PSEG Long Island does not ask customers to provide personal information online without first logging into the My Account section of www.psegliny.com/. Never provide any personal information requested by email. Do not download any attachments, and do not click on any links in the email. Instead, open a browser window, visit www.psegliny.com and log into My Account to get accurate account information, or call PSEG Long Island customer service.

There are also reports of door-to-door solicitors from solar companies and energy service companies impersonating PSEG employees or approved vendors, and reports of people impersonating PSEG employees to gain entry to homes and steal.

PSEG employees always wear a PSEG ID badge and PSEG Long Island-branded clothing. Call (800) 490-0025 to learn if PSEG employees are in the area. If a customer is unable to verify that PSEG employees are present, they should not allow the person entry and call 911.