OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE: BEWARE OF ELECTRIC COMPANY PHONE SCAM Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Director Stephen Scaturro of the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs today warned county residents of fraudulent phone calls from bogus electric utility company employees requesting immediate payment for electrical utility work. In the past week there have been several reports of fraudulent phone calls to local residents and area businesses. In the scam the unidentified caller states they are from the electric company. The caller insists that they need to replace the electrical meter at your property. In a very convincing tone they state that this needs to be done immediately. The caller will state that a money gram, money order, or prepaid card must be sent to them in amounts ranging from $250-$500. They end by stating that if you don’t comply your electric will be shut off. With so many area residents dealing with the difficulties of rebuilding from the devastation of Sandy, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Office of Consumer Affairs warns that this is a scam. The electric utility companies servicing our area would never insist that you send money to them immediately by threatening to disconnect service for a meter change. These unscrupulous con artists are usually in other states and/or other countries. They utilize internet based websites and programs to mask their real phone numbers. This makes the investigation and prosecution difficult and recovering your money virtually impossible. The Ocean County Prosecutor and Ocean County Office of Consumer Affairs advise citizens to never allow a caller to pressure you into acting immediately. Take the time to verify the validity of the caller. Do not call the telephone number they give you for verification, but call the number that is on your statement. If victimized call the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor at 732-929-2027. For further tips on how to avoid telephone scams call the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs at 732-929-2105.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:26:16 +0000
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