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The Eastchester Police Department issued an alert this week cautioning that scammers have been pretending to be Con Ed employees, utilizing a myriad of scams to take advantage of area customers.
Investigators said that the latest scam involves smart meters, which were introduced to New York in 2017.
Police said that customers should be aware that Con Edison does not require a deposit for the installation of a smart meter, and the company does not accept Bitcoin as payment for products and services.
According to police, residents “will get a postcard from Con Edison about three months before they come to your neighborhood, and a letter 45 days before installations begin. If your meter is outside, you don’t need to do anything. If you need to be home for Con Edison to access your meter, they will let you know how to make an appointment.”
In recent weeks, both door-to-door and phone scams have been reported by area residents.
In one of the most prevalent phone scams, a caller may:
- Pretend to be from Con Edison. They may even manipulate your caller ID to display Con Edison’s name;
- Threaten to turn off your power or gas within an hour;
- Demand immediate payment—often by prepaid debit card.
When someone comes to your door claiming to be from Con Edison, ask for credentials. It’s not rude, it’s safe, police said.
To tell a true Con Ed employee from a faux employee, the utility company has offered advice:
- A Con Edison employee will readily prove their identity. An imposter usually won’t.
- A Con Edison employee will wear a photo ID with their name and employee number.
- A Con Edison employee will gladly give you their supervisor’s name, the unique “ticket” number assigned to your job, and ask you to call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) to verify their identity.
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