OCPD warn of phone scam targeting businesses

Police in Ocean City, are warning residents and businesses of a new phone scam.

The Ocean City Police Department says they have recently seen an increase in reports of phone scams where the callers are posing as representatives of electric companies called “Delmarva Electric” and “Baltimore Gas & Electric.”

The scammers are apparently calling area businesses, and attempting to get them to pay balances of more than $1,000 using a Reloadit pre-paid card before the end of the day. The callers apparently threaten to shut off power service, if the victim does not comply.

Investigators say that scammers claiming to represent “Delmarva Electric” are using the exact ring-back tone and phone menu used by Delmarva Power, the legitimate power company. Police say two of the phone numbers being used are 844-834-2554 and 800-685-0123, but warn that it is likely that there are others.

Police say that legitimate power and electric companies would never request a specific type of payment, like a pre-paid card, and if you are contacted, that pre-cautions should be taken by hanging up and contacting the company directly, especially if that caller is requesting an immediate payment.