Know the signs and hang up on scams

Know the signs and hang up on scams

Scammers continue to use sophisticated tactics to trick you into giving them money or your personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people lost a record $2.7 billion to imposter scams, including utility imposter scams, in 2023.  

March 3-9 marks National Consumer Protection Week, and we want to equip customers with the information to help spot and hang up on bad actors. 

Here are some signs of potential phone scam activity to look out for: 

  • Threat to disconnect: Scammers may call or show up at your door saying that your bill is past due and will threaten to disconnect service if a payment is not made immediately. 
  • Request for prepaid card: You may be asked to pay with a prepaid debit card or with funds through a mobile app. 
  • Suspicious Texts: Calls aren’t the only form of phone scams. Scammers will also send text messages requesting personal information. 

Scammers act quickly to put pressure on unassuming victims. Always remember:

  • Slow down. 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 and details mentioned during the conversation or the status of your bill. 
  • Verify. Scammers can spoof phone numbers making the call look like it is from PPL Electric, trick you with emails or pose as real employees in person. The best way to verify a claim is to log on to your PPL Electric account or set one up so you can check your bill status directly. 
  • Stop before you act. PPL Electric and other utilities will never demand payment by prepaid cards, cryptocurrencies or other methods. 

If you sense suspicious activity, call us at 1-800-342-5775 or contact the local authorities. Scam awareness information is also available at pplelectric.com/scams.  

Remember that anyone can be targeted at any time. Together, we can raise awareness and stop scams. 

Be a savvy scam stopper

Be a savvy scam stopper

We’re joining the Federal Trade Commission to recognize National Consumer Protection Week and the continuing efforts to educate customers on scams.

We’re helping to work across the industry with our fellow utility partners, regulators, and law enforcement to stop scams for good. The bottom line is we have your back.

National Consumer Protection Week is a chance to raise awareness on this important issue.

When it comes to potential scam activity, be aware of these tactics:

  • Threats to immediately shut-off your service
  • Requests for payment with a prepaid card or digital payment app
  • Spam emails with lookalike logos or trademarks
  • Caller ID displaying our phone number, but the caller sounds suspicious

If a marketer calls or knocks at your door, remember:

  • We do not market or sell supplier services by phone or door-to-door. If the solicitor claims to represent PPL, check your online account or call us directly before providing any personal info.
  • Don’t always trust caller ID. Scammers can make it look like PPL is calling. If you suspect the caller might not really be PPL, hang up.
  • Update your PPL account with a security PIN or password and never give it to anyone who calls you. We will ask for your PIN and password when you call us to make sure it’s really you.
  • And if you’re interested in shopping for an electricity supplier, you can find all the info you need on our secure website: pplelectric.com/shopsmart.

Let’s spread the word about scams so we can stop them for good!