BGE: Don't Be Fooled by Green Dot Scammers

By D. Frank Smith

BGE has launched a new educational campaign to inform customers about utility impostors soliciting funds from the public door-to-door.

Speaking with Annapolis radio station WNAV, BGE spokeswoman Rachel Lighty said customers are reporting a new scam where someone will call or visit them claiming to be a utility worker from BGE.

The callers claim to represent BGE, saying a customer's service is about to be terminated. The caller then says the customer can make an emergency payment by purchasing a Visa Green Dot credit card.

"This is a scam, and the funds are not being used for a BGE bill," Lighty said. 

Official BGE employees will arrive with an employee badge with an ID number. Customers can call 800-685-0123 to verify that the person is a BGE employee before engaging with them, Lighty said.

Lighty gave these tips for customers who come across someone claiming to represent BGE:

• If customers are contacted as part of this scam, the company asks them to call local law enforcement and the BGE Customer Contact Center immediately at 800-685-0123.
• The safety of our customers is a top priority and we urge our customers to always be vigilant about their safety.
• As a reminder, BGE no longer accepts cash payments in the field and generally only requires entry into a customer’s home in response to gas or electric emergencies, to check BGE equipment, read BGE meters or to start or stop service.
• Although it is rare for a BGE representative to require entry into a customer’s home, if the entry is requested, the customer should always ask to see photo identification.
• All BGE employees and contractors carry company identification badges, which should be visible at all times, displaying their name, photograph and identification number
• Customers can also find information about payment options and protecting themselves and their families against utility imposters at bge.com.
• If at any time, customers are concerned for their safety, they should contact 911.