PSEG LI Scams Due To Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

LONG ISLAND, NY — PSEG Long Island is warning customers that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to more scams. According to the company, the heightened sense of uncertainty throughout the world is emboldening phone scammers who impersonate electric company employees.

"In times like these, every challenge our households face is magnified," Rick Walden, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Services said. "The heightened anxiety we’re feeling is perfect for scammers, whose preferred tactic is to make people panic at the thought of getting their power shut off."

As a result, the company is ensuring residents that during this crisis, PSEG Long Island is not shutting off power due to nonpayment due to financial burdens. Shut-offs of electric service for non-payment have been temporarily suspended during this crisis. Phone scammers typically tell their potential victims that they must pay an overdue bill or face immediate shut-off of electricity. In addition, customers should be reminded that PSEG Long Island does not accept payment via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.

Here's what Long Islanders should look out for to avoid being scammed:

• You receive a call from what looks like PSEG Long Island on your caller ID.
• The caller threatens to shut off your service and demands an immediate payment by pre-paid card, wire transfer or Bitcoin.
• The caller informs you that you require a new meter and demands a deposit before the installation can occur (PSEG Long Island does not require a deposit for a new meter installation).
• You're given a phone number to call back that, when called, may sound similar to PSEG Long Island’s automated call system.

What PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss over the phone

• A genuine PSEG Long Island 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 Customer of Record is not available, the PSEG Long Island representative will not discuss the account at all and ask that a message be left for the Customer of Record to call 1-800-490-0025.

For more information on various payment scams in the PSEG Long Island service area and around the country, visit www.psegliny.com/scam.