OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Police Department received multiple complaints from citizens and local businesses pertaining to a phone scam. The scam was previously attempted over the winter, and affected multiple Ocean City residents.
The scam works like this:
- Caller identifies themselves as a representative of Atlantic City Electric.
- Caller tells the victim that they are behind on their bill and payment is needed within 24 hours or their power will be shut off.
- The victim is instructed to go to Rite Aid or CVS and purchase a “Money Pak” and is provided a return number to call back.
- Once the Money Pak is purchased, the victim is asked to call back and read the number off the Money Pak and the scam is completed.
It is very important to know that on some of these calls, the incoming number on the caller ID is showing up as Atlantic City Electric. The electric company does not request payment in this way. The perpetrators are praying on the victim’s fear that their utility service will be shut off.
Before sending money over the phone, call the appropriate number listed for your utility company or contact the police to report the suspicious incident.
Those who have been a victim of this type of scam or have information about the incident, are asked to call Ocean City Police Department at (609) 399-9111.
