Wildwood Residents Warned to Beware of Electricity Scams

WILDWOOD – City officials are warning local utility customers to be vigilant if they receive an email claiming to be a utility bill.
According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), scammers, posing as third party energy suppliers, have been sending fake bills to some utility customers via email. Once opened, customers are told to click on a link contained in the email. By doing so, a customer’s computer may then become infected with a virus or malware.
Atlantic City Electric, which delivers electric services to the City of Wildwood, is urging customers to only pay their utility bill by going to the Atlantic City Electric website at atlanticcitylectric.com or by sending the hard copy of the remittance portion of their invoice through the United States mail. “Customers should not open any email asking that payment be made on their utility bill unless sent by Atlantic City Electric or by the customer’s third party energy supplier,” stated Frank Tedesco, Atlantic City Electric spokesman.
In addition to being aware of malicious email, customers are encouraged to take precautions when contacted via phone or in person by anyone claiming to be a representative of a company.
“If someone claims to represent a company,” stated Tedesco, “it is important that customers take precautions to verify that the person is affiliated with the company, especially if that person is requesting an immediate monetary payment,” In dealing with past due accounts, Atlantic City Electric never demands a specific form of payment. Customers are always given multiple payment options.
Customers are advised to ask for official photo identification from anyone who shows up at their door. Employees from reputable companies will carry official company identification cards. If proper identification cannot be produced, customers should notify Wildwood police at 609-522-0222 as well as the company with whom the individual claims to be associated.
Residents who receive a phone call from Atlantic City Electric should ask the caller to verify their identity and affiliation. If in doubt about the person’s claim to represent the power company, the customer should immediately call 1-800-642-3780.
“It is unfortunate that unscrupulous people want to take advantage of those who are uninformed. We urge everyone, especially our senior citizens, to be aware and heed the warnings given by Atlantic City Electric. Anyone who feels they have been a victim of a crime like this should notify the authorities immediately.”