Suffolk County Police Warn Of PSEG Scam Targeting Businesses

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County Police Department is warning businesses not to fall for a scam involving someone posing as a PSEG Long Island employee.

As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, some Suffolk County businesses have reported receiving a call from someone who claims to work for the utility company and threatens to turn off electricity unless immediate payment is made.

Victims are instructed to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid card at a pharmacy or convenience store, add money to the card and then provide the card's number and PIN to the caller. PSEG does not accept Green Dot cards as payment.

"Evidently, it's very convincing because a lot of people are doing it, and it's an ongoing problem," Suffolk Detective Lt. John O'Brien.

O'Brien recommends that people always verify who they're talking to and never offer money or account information to a caller or someone at the door.

Unfortunately, he said, many have.

"Some people have lost several thousands of dollars in these transactions," O'Brien said.

Suffolk County police suggest that anyone who doubts the legitimacy of a PSEG call should contact the utility at 800-490-0025.

For information on the PSEG scam and others in the area, visit SuffolkPD.org and click the "Scam Alert" icon.

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