Fight the fraud: PPL urges customers 'remain vigilant' and hang up the phone

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Don't mind your manners. Be rude to scammers.

PPL Electric Utilities is warning customers to be vigilant against scammers and just "hang up the phone."

In a release, PPL said that since April, its customers have reported more than 300 scams, a 250% increase from the same period in 2023.

“Scammers will never miss an opportunity to trick you into giving them money or your personal information, whether it’s by a phone call, text message, email or a visit to your home," the release stated.

"PPL Electric wants to equip customers with the information they need to spot suspicious activity and stop scams."

While PPL customers don’t share specifics beyond how they were contacted fraudulently, PPL Regional Affairs Director Jane George said in an email Wednesday, PPL Electric Utilities has seen a significant uptick in scams reported by customers.

In fact, the number of scams reported over the past three months is more than double the same period in 2023. Additionally, over 90% of the reported scams have been over the phone, George said.

"Utility scammers never take a day off, and they are always looking for the next opportunity to fool any of our customers," she said.

"It isn’t uncommon for utility scammers to misrepresent themselves, your energy supplier status, pricing and their true intentions.

"This is why we remind customers to always verify the identity of who they are dealing with, whether over the phone, via email or at their front door."

George advised people to ask for identification. All PPL Electric employees carry an ID badge, she said.

If the person refuses to show identification, "shut the door," she said.

PPL never knocks

Furthermore, PPL does not send representatives to solicit door-to-door, she said.

"We will never call, email or visit customers in person and demand immediate payment," George said.

"If customers are at risk of losing service, we reach out several ways and provide many opportunities to prevent shut-off by contacting us to set up a payment plan.

"We never want to terminate anyone’s service, and we view service termination as an absolute last resort."

Be on the lookout:

• Impostors may call or show up at your door and say they’re from PPL Electric
• Scammers may tell you that your utility bill is past due and will threaten to disconnect service if payment is not made
• You may be asked to pay immediately by purchasing a prepaid card or sending funds through a mobile app to pay your bill
• You may be told somebody is offering lower rates than PPL Electric when they do not know what your current rate is 

If you believe you have been scammed, PPL advises these steps:

• The official number for PPL customers: 1-800-342-5775
• PPL Electric does not sell supplier services by phone or go door to door. If a solicitor claims to represent PPL Electric, call PPL directly
• Create an online account. That will let you check account information and current supplier at any time
• Update your email address and phone number. That will let PPL send you official messages
• Spread the word. If a scammer tries to target you, let your friends and loved ones know.