State utility regulators have issued an urgent warning about a sophisticated phone scam targeting Pennsylvania utility customers, with more than 70 complaints received in a single day. Scammers are using advanced caller ID spoofing technology to make their calls appear to originate from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), creating a veneer of official legitimacy.
The fraudulent calls follow a specific script, with scammers claiming that a utility service transfer is pending and demanding an immediate cancellation fee. They threaten service termination if the targeted customer does not pay promptly. The PUC emphasized that it never makes direct calls demanding payment or threatening service interruption.
Law enforcement has been notified, and the PUC is collaborating with utilities statewide to prevent further fraud. Experts recommend that consumers remain vigilant and follow specific protective measures when receiving unsolicited calls about utility services.
Consumers can protect themselves by refusing to provide personal or financial information to unexpected callers, independently verifying account details by contacting their utility using official contact information, and reporting suspicious calls to the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services.
