Utility customers have been targeted by criminals through schemes that include door-to-door visits, phone calls and electronic communications. For your safety and security, we urge all customers to remain vigilant against scammers who claim to be associated with our company. Below is important information to share with your store or site managers to prevent any confusion or harm from potential scam artists.
The facts:
- If your account is past-due, you will receive a written notice of your account status, with instructions on how to avoid disconnection of service. Our representatives will not call or email to demand immediate payment to avoid a same-day shutoff.
- While FirstEnergy representatives oftentimes make courtesy calls to customers to remind them about an outstanding balance, they would explain how a payment can be made using the established payment options. They never require you to purchase a pre-paid money card or request a wire transfer as the only acceptable means of payment.
- FirstEnergy employees do not contact customers to request sensitive information such as social security numbers or bank account information.
- FirstEnergy field collectors working in New Jersey, Maryland and Ohio – carrying company-issued photo identification – will offer customers with past-due accounts the opportunity to pay their bill in person before shutting them off.
- If a utility employee or authorized contractor needs access to your home or needs to review an issue with you, an appointment will be scheduled in advance, and proper company-issued identification will be provided.
- If there is a charge related to work on customer-owned equipment, these are included in the customer’s monthly bill. FirstEnergy does not collect a separate payment for equipment or installation.
- FirstEnergy’s electric companies are currently installing smart meters on homes and businesses in Pennsylvania. These charges are included in the customer’s monthly bill. FirstEnergy does not collect a separate payment for smart meter equipment or installation.
What you should do if you think you’re being scammed:
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
- Do not provide any money or personal information.
- If you would like to verify your account status, always call our Customer Service department using the numbers on our website, or log in to your account.
- If you believe you have been a victim of these scams, please contact your local police department or your state attorney general’s office, and report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.
For more information including the types of scams you might encounter, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/scaminfo.
