Pohatcong Twp. police warn of JCP&L phone scam

Police say the scammers are savvy, using caller ID spoofing software to lead victims to believe they are receiving a legit call from JCP&L and/or provide them with a fake "verification" phone number.

Pohatcong Township police are warning residents about a telephone scam involving phony calls regarding their electric bills.

lehighvalleylive.com file photo 

Police have received complaints about a scam involving a caller who identifies himself or herself as a reprsentative of Jersey Central Power & Light. The culprits are savvy, using caller ID spoofing software to lead victims to believe they are receiving a call from JCP&L and/or provide them with a fake "verification" phone number, police say.

The call-back numbers may even include exact replicas of greetings and hold messages victims would hear when calling JCP&L's Contact Center, police say.

The caller tells people that their electric bills are overdue and that the electricity will be cut, if they do not put money on a Green Dot pre-paid debit card, wire money or travel to a location to pay the bill.

Utility companies have repeatedly indicated they do no endorse the use of Green Dot cards to pay bills. If an account is past-due, residents often receive a written notice of their account status, with instructions on how to avoid disconnection of service.

While JCP&L representatives may call a customer whose bill is in arrears in order to remind them that a payment is due, the representative would explain how a payment can be made using JCP&L's established payment options, police say.

Pohatcong Township police took to the department's Facebook page to warn the public:

Some posters commented on the page they received similar calls. Police have recommended the following tips if a resident receives a phony call:

• If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.


• If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, call your local police department or the state attorney general's office.


• If you have purchased a Green Dot card to pay your electric bill and would like to request a refund from Green Dot/MoneyPak, visit www.moneypak.com/refundrequest.aspx.


• Visit the Scam and Fraud Information section on the FirstEnergy website at www.firstenergycorp.com/scaminfo for updates on known scams and tips to help ensure the safety of your family, property and personal information.
  

  Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.