Red Bank Police Warn Of Utilities Scam

By Carol Williams/Patch Staff

RED BANK, NJ - Borough police are warning residents of a widespread utilities company scam while at the same time noting it is occurring in a number of communities and so is not unique to this one. Authorities say a caller will generally target small businesses by posing as an electric company worker who threatens to shut off the merchants' power unless an immediate payment is made. The con artist pressures the victim to use a pre-paid debit card, such as a Green Dot/MoneyPak or a money transfer service like Money Gram or Western Union.

Police said that if an account is past due, that is not the way the electric company will seek to address it. Instead, the utility company will send written notice with directions of how to avoid an interruption in service. While an electric company representative legitimately may call a customer whose bill is in arrears to remind them that a payment is due, the representative also would explain how a payment can be made using established payment options. Credible utility companies will not demand payment over the phone or at a particular physical location, according to the information posted on the Colts Neck police Facebook page. The power companies do not accept prepaid debit cards or wire transfers as payment and the representatives will not demand your bank information or credit card number over the phone, police said.

If potential victims receive a call demanding immediate payment, they should disconnect the call immediately. In order to complicate how you can protect yourself, the scammers often use caller identification spoofing software to misrepresent the source of the call or they may provide a fake "verification" phone number. These call-back numbers may include exact replicas of company greetings and hold messaging, police said. Anyone who needs to verify his or her account status should call the utility customer service department using the numbers on the bill or go online to the company website where customers can log into their account.

If you suspect you have been victimized, contact your local police department.

Image via Shutterstock