WASHINGTON — Pepco says scammers are targeting its customers by visiting their house and telling them that they will shut off electric service unless they submit payment immediately.
In the scam, criminals impersonating utility workers come to the victim’s house with false credentials. Simultaneously, the victim receives a call from a scammer who says the victim’s electric service account is delinquent and will be shut off unless immediate payment is made.
Pepco warns that the call looks real because the scammers use a spoofed Pepco phone number that may appear legitimate. The person calling also provides a reply phone number that directs customers to a phony automated Pepco answering service.
Pepco says it does reach out to customers via phone or in person, but people should take extra precautions to verify the person is affiliated with the company — especially if the person is requesting immediate payment.
Pepco says one warning sign is that it never threatens to disconnect service without first offering multiple payment options.
If customers have any doubt about the validity of a person who claims to represent Pepco, they should call the company’s customer care line at 202-833-7500.
