FirstEnergy Issues Warning about Phone Payment Scam
AKRON, Ohio -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s utilities, including Ohio Edison, are warning customers about a scam. A telephone caller poses as a utility company employee and threatens to shut off power unless an immediate payment is made using a pre-paid debit card such as a Green Dot card.
Scams involving callers asking for utility bill payment via Green Dot cards have been reported by customers in all of FirstEnergy's service areas from Ohio to New Jersey, including Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Co. and Toledo Edison in Ohio; West Penn Power, Penn Power, Met-Ed and Penelec in Pennsylvania; Jersey Central Power & Light in New Jersey; Mon Power in West Virginia; and Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland.
FirstEnergy and its utilities do not require payment over the phone via specific means, including Green Dot cards. Moreover, FirstEnergy's utilities do not demand payment over the phone to avoid an impending termination of service. "If you receive a call demanding payment via a specific option, including a Green Dot card, it's a scam, and you should report this crime to your local authorities," said Ronald I. Green, vice president, customer service, FirstEnergy. "While we may phone a customer whose bill is in arrears to remind them a payment is due, we would explain how a payment can be made using established payment options."
FirstEnergy has numerous bill payment options, including smartphone by app or on mobile website, over the phone with a credit card or checking account using FirstEnergy's automated phone system, at the company's website with a credit card or checking account, in person or other authorized payment agent location and by mail.
FirstEnergy's 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.
SOURCE: FirstEnergy.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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