Barnegat Police Warn Residents Of Bogus JCP&L Scam

Don't fall for this.

One day you're minding your own business and the phone rings. It's an automated call from what appears to be Jersey Central Power and Light. The message says your bill is past due. You have 30 minutes to call back 866-978-0274 or your electricity will be shut off.

Don't believe it, Barnegat police say.

A Barnegat resident called the number provided and spoke with an unknown male, who said the company no longer accepts checks for payment and that he needed to provide credit card information. The resident recognized this as a scam and did not provide any personal information, according to the warning posted on the police department's Facebook page.

The caller ID for the first call came up as 800-662-3115, which JCP&L's main telephone number.

Barnegat police called JCP&L and the company is aware of the scam.

"If you receive a similar call, DO NOT provide any personal information," the post states. "Contact the company via their main number listed on your bill or their website to confirm/deny any discrepancies."

Image: Patch file photo.