Pepco Warns Customers of Email Billing Scam

If you receive an email utility invoice from Pepco, don’t pay it. The utility says it’s a scam.

Pepco issued a news release Thursday warning that scammers posing as third-party energy suppliers are sending fake utility bills by email to some utility. The email asks that the customer click on a link contained within the email. Officials suspect that by clicking on the link, the customer’s computer could become infected with a virus or malware.

Pepco customers should only pay their utility bill by visiting pepco.com or by sending the paper copy of their invoice through the mail, the release said.

Many companies, including Pepco, contact customers in person or via phone for various reasons. When addressing past due accounts, Pepco never endorses a specific form of payment. Instead, multiple payment options are always given to the customer, the release said.

Pepco urges customers to ask for official photo identification from any person who shows up at their door. Company employees will carry official company identification cards. If proper identification cannot be produced, customers should notify police and the company with whom the individual claims to be associated.

Similarly, if someone calls saying they represent a certain company, customers should ask them to verify their identity and affiliation. If customers have any doubt about the validity of a person’s claim to represent Pepco, they should call the company immediately at 202-833-7500.