The Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit says Delawareans should be wary of threatening collection calls purporting to be from Delmarva Power.
The callers claim the consumer has an overdue balance and threaten to have utility services shut off within minutes if large sums of money are not provided.
Customers with outstanding balances due to winter heating bills provide a tempting target. Commercial establishments, including restaurants and corner stores, have also been targeted over the years.
A dead giveaway is when callers urge large payments in MoneyPak cards, iTunes gift cards, or other prepaid card products, a release noted. The payments cannot be traced.
The callers may also attempt to obtain certain personal or financial information from consumers as well.
Customers of Delmarva Power, or other authorized utility providers, should ask the caller to provide information that legitimate employees of actual utility providers should have readily available – including the utility account number, property address, and account holder’s name – in order to verify their identity. Consumers should end the call if the caller cannot provide this basic information.
In addition, consumers should inform callers that they will check recent billing statements and payment records and call back at the telephone number listed on their billing statements. If the caller provides a different number or directs the consumer to take another action, it is likely a scam.
Consumers should verify the amounts claimed due with their own records before remitting any money. Some tips to protect personal information include:
- Asking callers pointed questions to verify that they are who they say they are;
- Reviewing monthly bills for any information about amounts due;
- Asking callers for time to review records before agreeing to pay any amounts – legitimate collection calls will allow time to verify the balance due;
- Wariness of any calls where a caller employs a threat of any kind to try to compel immediate financial action; and
- Declining to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers or callers, or hanging up if the caller pressures the consumer.
Consumers who believe they may have been scammed to call its toll-free Consumer Hotline at (800) 220-5424 or email consumer.protection@delaware.gov. Consumers who have lost money to scam calls should make a report to their local police agency.
