SALISBURY –
Delmarva Power reminds home and business owners to practice safety when someone
claiming to represent a business contacts them either in person or by
telephone.

Recently,
Delmarva has been alerted to a “Green Dot” scam. As such, information from law
enforcement officials and other utilities has indicated that “scammers” are now
targeting commercial businesses, typically ethnic restaurants. It has been
reported that “scammers” are telling business owners that the location’s
electric service account is delinquent and it will be shut-off for non-payment
unless the business purchases a "Green Dot Money Pack" for a specific
amount dictated by the “scammer” from a CVS, Rite Aid or WaWa. Victims are then
given instructions to call a “scammer” telephone number with the card’s account
number and pin. Once the “scammer” obtains the card’s identifying information,
the value is then downloaded, swept and stolen. These transactions are
untraceable.

Please note, many
companies, including Delmarva Power, will contact customers in person or via
phone for various reasons. If someone claims to represent a company, whether
the company is Delmarva Power or another entity, it is important that customers
take precautions to verify the person is affiliated with the company,
especially if that person is requesting an immediate monetary payment.

When addressing
past due accounts Delmarva Power never endorses a specific form of payment.
Instead, multiple payment options are always given to the customer.

Delmarva Power
advises customers to ask for official photo identification from any person who
shows up at their door. Employees from reputable companies, such as Delmarva
Power, will carry official company identification cards. If proper
identification cannot be produced, customers should notify police and the
company with whom the individual claims to be associated.

Similarly, if
someone calls saying they represent a certain company, customers should ask
them to verify their identity and affiliation. If customers have any doubt
about the validity of a person’s claim to represent Delmarva Power, they should
call the company immediately at 1-800-375-7117.

For more
information, visit www.delmarva.com, www.facebook.com/delmarvapower or
www.twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. A mobile app is available at
www.delmarva.com/mobileapp.