Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is cautioning residents about an uptick in winter weather-related scams.

According to Sunday, the scams involve websites that appear to be a legitimate utility provider and appear in Google searches as a lure. When a customer clicks onto the site, scammers pose as employees and make claims that payment is past due, which can prompt users to turn over personal information or make payments.

“We are hearing of increases in impersonation scams involving utility providers. As always, I encourage Pennsylvanians to be vigilant and cautious online and anytime they are solicited,” Sunday said in a statement. “Consumers should be wary when someone asks for your personal or banking information over the phone — especially during an unexpected incoming call. Scammers aim to frighten and pressure their targets, so if you have such an experience, cease communications immediately.”

Sunday offered the following tips:

• Access your utility company’s website directly. Type the company’s official website address into your web browser rather than using search engines to find the website. The website is often provided on your bill.
• Call customer service number provided on your utility bill or other official correspondence from the utility company.
• Be cautious of urgent payment demands. Utility companies do not require immediate payment by unconventional methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment apps such as Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, or others.
• Do not call numbers you see on advertisements online, these ads are often paid for by scammers who are hoping to take advantage of the “convenience” they are offering by putting their scam number in front of a consumer.
• If you are using a search engine to find your utility’s contact information, use the name of the utility company you are working with (UGI, MetEd, PPL, etc). Scammers are hoping you use phrases such as “utility phone number” or “how to pay my utility bill” when you are searching online and this may show you sponsored ads for scam companies.
• Do not provide your banking or personal information unless you have confirmed that you are speaking with your legitimate utility provider. Verify the phone number or website using the tips above.
• The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website has lists of utilities providers and the contact information for utility companies. The list of electric providers can be found online here. Additional lists of utility providers in Pennsylvania are found on the PUC website. PUC can also be reached by calling 1-800-692-7380.
• If you fear you are in an emergency utility-related situation, dial 911 before attempting to contact your utility provider.

More details here.

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