Don’t let scammers get you with an “April Fools!”

Don’t let scammers get you with an “April Fools!”

It’s a tradition that has been around since the early 1700s and every year, as the calendar flips to April, many prepare elaborate jokes to play on one another. But just as your zany siblings or friends attempted to fool you growing up, there are many people in this world today who are looking to fool you out of your hard-earned money.   

That’s why we’re urging you to stay vigilant and prevent utility scammers who use deceptive tactics to fool you into giving up your money or switching to a higher-cost electricity supplier. Remember, scammers never take a day off and they are always looking for the next opportunity to trick you, whether it’s April Fools’ Day or not.

If you receive a call or email asking about your electric bill or electricity supplier, it’s important to make sure you know the warning signs of a scam. Here are a few things to look out for: 

  • Don’t give into threats: “We’ll shut off your service if you don’t pay us immediately.” Scammers say this, we don’t. If you are at risk of losing service, we’ll notify you and won’t surprise you with a phone call threatening imminent shutoff. Plus, we have programs and payment agreements to help pay your bill until you can catch up.  
  • Pay attention to payment methods: We will never require you to pay with a gift card, prepaid card, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. 
  • Watch out for spam: Today’s scammers will use lookalike logos or trademarks to fool you. So, when you open an email, be sure it’s coming from us before you click on anything.   
  • Don’t always trust caller ID: Scammers can make it look like a phone call is coming from our phone number. If you suspect the caller might not really be us, hang up immediately and verify your account information at pplelectric.com. 

Sometimes, scammers knock on doors or could even confront you while in a public place. If a marketer stops you, remember the following tips: 

  • We’re not salespeople: We do not market or sell supplier services door-to-door. If a solicitor claims to represent PPL Electric, tell them you’re busy and can’t speak. Then contact us directly. Most importantly, don’t provide any personal information to them. 
  • Take your time: As part of intimidation tactics, scammers may press you to act quickly. Stop, slow down and end the conversation. Reach out to us directly to confirm any details mentioned during the conversation or the status of your bill. 
  • Ask for identification: All of our employees carry an ID badge and are required to show you their ID when asked. So, if they can’t produce a badge, shut the door.  

Whether it’s an email, phone call or knock at the door, it never hurts to be mindful. Combine these general tips with those mentioned above to avoid scams:  

  • Update your PPL Electric account with a security PIN or password and never give it to anyone who calls you. That way, when you call us, we can ask for your PIN or password to make sure it’s really you and you’re authorized to talk about the account. 
  • Sign up for an online account at pplelectric.com to always have access to your information. You can sign up in three easy steps and view your bill status, electricity supplier information, overall usage and more.  
  • Remember, we deliver your power, but in Pennsylvania you can shop around for the electricity supplier that is right for you. Find helpful shopping tips and information you can use to get started at pplelectric.com/shopsmart. 

The best way to prevent yourself from falling victim to a scam is to stay informed and be vigilant. And, if anything seems even slightly off about a situation, feel free to get in touch with us. For more information and tips about utility scams, visit pplelectric.com/scams 

Captain Wattage energizes youngsters with electrical safety lessons

Captain Wattage energizes youngsters with electrical safety lessons

When it comes to electricity, no one knows more about how it works – and, more importantly, how to stay safe around it – than illustrious superhero Captain Wattage.

Just ask the hundreds of children across our service territory that saw him in action this spring.

Approximately 5,500 children in schools across central and eastern Pennsylvania saw our latest sponsored theater program designed to give long-lasting lessons about electrical safety.

The program, shown to students via livestream, featured Captain Wattage, who faces off against nemesis Vivica Voltage, who tries to get people to be unsafe around electricity. Through a series of lessons and with the help from Lineman Larry, Captain Wattage teaches how electricity is made, the uses of electricity, while identifying dangerous situations and how to stay safe around electricity.

It marks the seventh year that we’ve provided the program to schools in the communities we serve. To date, more than 120,000 elementary school children at more than 300 schools across PA have seen the program.

The online show is supplemented by student playbooks, posters and an e-learning package including games, e-books, hands-on lessons, and assessments for educators. We sponsor every aspect of the program, making Captain Wattage a cost-free supplement to lessons in science, literacy, and the arts taught by schools today.

For more information about electrical safety for kids, including games and activities please visit pplelectric.com/safety.

Bill help within a few clicks

Bill help within a few clicks

With an updated design and intuitive navigation, our website makes it easier than ever to handle everyday transactions:

If you’re struggling to pay your bill, or even facing a shut-off, sign into your account at pplelectric.com, and click “Get Help Paying.” We’ll ask you a few questions about your household and refer you to the programs that will benefit your family most.  

Programs for income-eligible customers include LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is accepting applications for up to $2,700 through May 6, or OnTrack, which offers lower, fixed monthly payments and debt forgiveness. 

Regardless of income, all customers are eligible for budget billing and payment agreement options, which are also available on our website. If you’re interested in saving, check out more ways to save by shopping for an electricity supplier, and participating in energy efficiency programs.

Don’t have an online account? Don’t wait another day to start enjoying the benefits, like making secure payments 24/7 without wasting money on checks and postage. Register for a new web profile and sign up for paperless billing in minutes.   

We value your time, so we’ve made it quick and easy to get the assistance you need 24/7 at pplelectric.com without ever having to pick up the phone.

LIHEAP grants up to $2,700

LIHEAP grants up to $2,700

If you’re falling behind on your electric bill, you may qualify for up to $2,700 in free money from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP. But you have to act fast. LIHEAP applications must be submitted by June 17. 

LIHEAP is available to both homeowners and renters, and you don’t need a past-due balance to apply. Grants can help offset the cost of winter heating bills or prevent a shut-off.  

Check out the income guidelines at pplelectric.com/liheap, see if you qualify, and apply today.  

If you’re not eligible for LIHEAP, don’t worry. We offer payment agreements and programs, like budget billing, to all customers, regardless of your income.  

To get started, sign into your online profile at pplelectric.com or set up a new profile in three easy steps. Then, click “Get Help Paying” from your Account Summary page. We’ll ask you a few questions about your household and financial information and recommend the programs that will benefit your family most. 

Call 811 before you dig

Call 811 before you dig

Are you planting any trees or shrubs this spring? If so, are you planning to call 811 before you start digging?

If you think a hole being dug for trees or plants isn’t enough to make the free 811 call, you may be wrong.

Some utilities could be buried inches below ground. And, unfortunately, about one in five people who dig don’t call 811 because they think their project isn’t deep enough for the call, according to Common Ground Alliance, a North American organization dedicating to preventing damage to underground utilities.

An 811 call is free for homeowners excavating on their residential property.

The law requires an 811 call before digging with power equipment, including backhoes, excavators, post hole diggers, and trenchers.

But it’s best to play it safe with any digging project by making the 811 call. Once placing the call, a crew will come out to the dig site to look for potential underground utilities and mark them with paint.

Here’s the information you will need when calling 811:

  • The county and municipality in which the planned dig is located.
  • The street name and address.
  • The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.
  • Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done.
  • When the project is scheduled to take place.

If you hire a contractor to do the excavation for you, they are required to call 811 themselves.

Stay safe this spring and call before you dig.

For more info, visit the Pennsylvania 811 website at pa1call.org.