PA Utility Commission warning about spoofed scam calls

(WJET/WFXP)– The Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) is warning residents around the Commonwealth about scammers calling residents pretending to be them and using their phone number.

According to a release, the scammers claim to be from the PUC, using the phone number of their Philadelphia office using a technique called spoofing.

The PUC said they received over 70 calls from customers on Thursday along with the scammers telling consumers they may be from the PECO, PPL and other utility services and they’ve received a request to switch them to a different supplier.

Should consumers question the call, the PUC said the scammers claim to have a voice recording of the consumer authorizing it and that the only way to cancel the switch and remain with the utility is to pay a cancellation fee immediately or have those utilities cut off.

The PUC is reminding all customers they DO NOT make called directly to their customers to demand payment, confirm supplier switches, or threaten termination.

While the PUC is working with law enforcement across PA to resolve the situation they’re recommending the following tips to avoid being scammed:

• Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers. Hang up immediately.
• Do not pay unknown callers or provide them with personal information such utility account information, bank account details, credit card, driver license, date of birth, social security number, or address information.

• Never trust caller ID alone. Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers to make the call appear credible.
• Contact your utility or supplier directly using the phone number on your bill if you have questions about your account or a potential switch.
• Be aware that utilities may contact customers by phone if a bill is seriously overdue, but these calls are usually part of a broader series of written and electronic notices about a delinquent account or possible termination. If you’re unsure whether a call is legitimate, always contact your utility’s official customer service hotline.
• Report suspicious calls to your utility and the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at
  1-800-692-7380 or online at www.puc.pa.gov.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.
• Consider blocking or screening unknown numbers.