Delmarva Power Phone Scam Resurfaces
Watch out for a new series of scam phone calls. A WGMD listener reports that they got a phone call that Delmarva Power was going to turn my power of to the office in thirty minutes because I had not paid my bill in two months and they had dispatched a technician to turn off. The number was the Delmarva Power 800 Number that made it so real. Thankfully we called Salisbury Delmarva Power and found it was a scam. The caller would not take a credit card, but wanted us to go to Royal Farms and get a card there and they send us a form to fill out. Mistakes can happen with billing, but highly unlikely.
WGMD’s Mike Bradley also received a similar call.
Delmarva Power officials will never contact you demanding immediate payment for a reportedly overdue bill and will never ask you to use a card from a convenience store as payment. Information from Delmarva Power’s website – what to do if you get one of these calls:
Red flags for scam activity
- The thief becomes angry and tells the customer his or her account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn’t made – usually within less than an hour.
- The thief instructs the customer to purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card – widely available at retail stores – then call him or her back to supposedly make a payment.
- The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the card’s funds.
How to protect customers
- Utility representatives will never ask or require a customer with a delinquent account to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
- Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
- Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification with the regular monthly billing – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.
- If you suspect someone is trying to scam you, hang up and call the local police then Delmarva Power at 1-800-375-7117. Never dial the phone number the scammers provide.
Don’t Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions:
- Never provide social security or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers.
- Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
- When in doubt, check it out. Be skeptical of individuals wearing clothing with old or defaced company logos. If you have any doubts, ask to see a company photo ID.
- Never make payment for services to anyone coming to the door.
- If customers have concerns about the status of their account, they can contact Delmarva Power.
