Police, PECO warn of latest phone scam

LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Lower Pottsgrove Police are warning residents about the latest phone scam.

According to police, a new phone scam has emerged involving individuals pretending to be from PECO and asking the person receiving the call to send cash or their electricity will be shut off.

PECO has also issued a statement about this scam on their website, stating:

“If someone posing as a PECO employee contacts you for a payment on your PECO bill and threatens to disconnect your service, please be aware that this is a scam. Scammers impersonate PECO employees, instruct customers to buy a prepaid credit card and call a different phone number with the personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information to pay their bill. The call can seem very convincing if you hear a PECO greeting and realistic agent answering this call, but don’t be fooled. PECO representatives will never call you to request a bill payment in cash or a prepaid credit card,” said PECO in their statement.

“Sophisticated scammers may employ technology to be even more convincing by using a tactic called “spoofing” to manipulate the Caller ID phone number displayed on your phone so that it appears to be a PECO phone number,” the statement said.

Police are urging residents not to give out any personal information if they

do end up answering the phone. Additionally, PECO encourages individuals who have been contacted to report the suspicious activity to local police or call PECO at 1-800-494-4000.

As a reminder, PECO has listed some tips on their website to keep in mind:

• Do not pay scammers: PECO representatives will never call you for bill payment in cash or a prepaid credit card.

• Verify your bill: Check your printed bill or log on to PECO.com or the mobile app

“Sophisticated scammers may employ technology to be even more convincing by using a tactic called “spoofing” to manipulate the Caller ID phone number displayed on your phone so that it appears to be a PECO phone number.”

— PECO statement

and check your account status, balances, and payments.

• Protect yourself: Never open your door to someone you do not recognize. Ask for a photo ID through a window - All PECO employees and contractors carry company ID badges displaying their name, photograph and identification number, but don’t fall for a fake badge.

• Do not provide your PECO account information or your PECO bill to anyone. A real PECO representative will have the account information they need when they call.