Press Release

PUC Cautions Duquesne Light Small-Business Customers of Telephone Scam, Reminds Other PA Consumers to be Alert

Published on 6/16/2015

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) cautioned consumer and small businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania about a potential telephone scam targeting customers of Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light). Additionally, the PUC urged residents and businesses throughout Pennsylvania to be alert for similar scams.

According to Duquesne Light, approximately 50 small business customers have reported receiving calls from a person claiming to work for Duquesne Light who demands immediate payment to prevent the customer’s electric service from being terminated. The caller then asks the customer to call another number to make a credit card payment, but this number is not associated with Duquesne Light.

“It is important for consumers to understand that there are very specific guidelines in Pennsylvania for utility shut-offs, and knowing those rules will help residents and businesses better identify possible scams,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “Your utility will not call about a payment on the day of a scheduled termination. If you are a residential customer and your service is going to be terminated for a valid reason, you will receive written notice 10 days in advance, as well as several personal contacts – usually by phone – at least three days prior to termination. Commercial customers will receive notice three days prior to termination.”

Brown noted that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code (Chapter 14) and the Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act restrict when residential service can be shut off to a short list of situations where customers fail to do one of the following:

• Pay your bill;
• Follow through on a payment arrangement;
• Pay a deposit, if required; or
• Allow the company access to its equipment 

Utility companies can only terminate your service without notice for the following reasons: stealing utility service; getting service through fraud; tampering with your meter; unsafe service conditions; or giving a bad check to avoid termination.

Additionally, utility companies cannot terminate residential service from Friday through Sunday. More information on the Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act is found on the Commission’s website.

“If you receive a call that seems suspicious, hang up and immediately call the customer service number that’s listed on the top of your utility bill – or, if you feel threatened, call your local police department,” said Chairman Brown.

Act 155 of 2014 (Act 155) was signed into law on Oct. 22, 2014, by Governor Tom Corbett and reauthorized Chapter 14 for another 10 years. Applicable to residential customers only, Chapter 14 rules apply to cash deposits, reconnection of service, termination of service, payment arrangements and the filing of termination complaints by consumers for electric, gas and water service.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  717-787-5722