Con Edison Scam Targets Small Businesses, Police Say

QUEENS, NY — The NYPD has issued a warning to all residents and small business owners.

According to police, reports of a Con Edison phone scam targeting small businesses has been detected in recent weeks.

What Does It Sound Like?

Police say the business receive a call from someone claiming to be from Con Edison and that the business’ caller ID might even display Con Edison’s name.

According to police, the caller then claims that the business’ bill is past due and threatens to shut off services if the business owner does not submit payment over the phone. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

What Should You Do?

Police advise those who receive this call to immediately hang up the phone.

Utility companies do not shut off services over the phone, and police encourage business owners to review their most recent bill before calling customer service to verify the current bill status.

Police say that the business owner should also not purchase a gift card to pay the bill over the phone.

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