The Media Police and surrounding departments are investigating an ongoing phone scam directed at both homes and local businesses. A person claiming to be a PECO representative calls with claims of an overdue bill, and threatens to shut off all power within the hour should payment not be made immediately. Credit card payment by phone will not be accepted, and the business or homeowner is directed to a local store to purchase Greendot prepaid VISA/debit cards in the amount owed. The card numbers are then given to the fraudulent PECO representative by phone as payment. Individual losses have reached as high as $3000 and the cards are not traceable.
- Phone scams such as this are on the rise, and also include claims of lottery winnings or a relative in desperate need of bail money or other cash.
- Everyone is urged to contact their local department should they receive calls demanding or requesting money, prior to making any payments.
- Please remember that dialing 911 is not for emergencies only. Any questions, concerns, or suspicions, urgent or otherwise, are first met by dialing 911.