Delmarva Power warns customers about phone scams
A local energy company warns against phone scams after they say individuals are using a tactic called spoofing and reports have increased.
On Monday, officials with Delmarva Power say there have been an increase in reports of individuals calling Delmarva Power customers and falsely claiming their electric or gas service will be disconnected unless the make a payment. Officials say the individuals tell customers to buy a prepaid credit card and call back to a different phone number with the card's PIN and other personal information. The power company says they also use a tactic called "spoofing" to manipulate the Caller ID displayed phone number so that it appears as a Delmarva Power number.
According to the Delmarva Power website, Delmarva Power representatives will never call you to ask you for cash or request that you purchase a prepaid credit card to make a payment on your bill.
The energy company offers the following tips to avoid this type of scam:
- Be mindful of individuals who try to gain access to their homes by posing as utility workers. Utility impostors may carry "official" looking credentials and often work in pairs.
- Ask for a photo ID through a window. All Delmarva Power employees and contractors carry company ID badges displaying their name, photograph and identification number. To verify a Delmarva Power employee's identity or work being done, call us at 1-800-375-7117 TTY-TDD Hearing Impaired: 1-800-822-1200.
- If you believe you have been the target of a phone scam, report suspicious activity to the police.
Anyone with questions about the status of their Delmarva Power account is asked to call Delmarva Power's Customer Service at 1-800-375-7117 TTY-TDD Hearing Impaired: 1-800-822-1200.
