PSEG warns customers of payment scams

PSEG Long Island is warning it’s customers to be alert to an ongoing payment scam targeting both residential and business customers.

People claiming to be PSEG employees threaten to turn off electric service immediately if payment is not made that day. The utility is urging customers to call 1-800-490-0025 if you have any suspicion or doubt about a phone call you receive claiming to be from PSEG.

The phone call might sound like the real thing, using the same voice response system and the same prompt menu, so people think they are talking to the utility, when in fact they are dealing with the scammers. The customer is told their service will be cut that day unless payment is made with a pre paid card that can be purchased at many pharmacies and retail stores.

PSEG Long Island would never require a customer to pay using a pre-paid card as the payment method. Any customer who has doubts about the legitimacy of any call claiming to be from PSEG Long Island should hang up and call the utility directly.

How the scam works

• An individual pretending to be a PSEG Long Island employee calls customer and tells them that without immediate payment via a pre-paid card, their service will be shut off.

• Customers are given a number to call back after they have purchased the card. When they call that number, they hear interactive voice response prompts that imitate those they would hear when calling the real PSEG Long Island customer service line.

• When an imposter representative answers the line, they ask for the number on the back of the card. After the scammers have that number, they take the money from the card.

“Scammers ask the customer to give them the number on the back of the pre-paid card and take the money from the card – usually within a matter of minutes,” said Dan Eichhorn, vice president, customer services, PSEG Long Island. “This scam has affected companies across the country. We urge our customers to always use caution when making payments.”

What to do if you get a call