Public Warned of IRS/Utility Company Scam
Public Warned of IRS/Utility Company Scam
The Suffolk County Police Department is warning residents of an increased number of calls in which residents are asked to send money to avoid utilities being shut off or penalties and arrest by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Several Suffolk County residents have reported receiving a call from someone who claims to be a PSEG employee and threatens to turn off electricity if payment is not made. In other instances, the caller claims to be a representative from the Internal Revenue Service and threatens the caller with arrest or penalties if payment is not made immediately.
Victims are told to purchase a Green Dot Money Pak card at a pharmacy or convenience store, use cash to put money on the card, and provide the number on the card to the caller. If you receive a suspicious call of this kind, do not provide these individuals with any personal information, banking information, credit/debit card numbers. Do not purchase and give them Green Dot Money Pak card information and do not send money via electronic wire.
Suffolk County Police advise any customer doubting the legitimacy of any call from PSEG, especially if payment is requested, to call the utility company directly at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, the IRS recommends the following:
- If you know, or believe, that you owe taxes, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
- If you know that you do not owe taxes and believe that the call was a scam attempt, please call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know. For information on this and other scams, go to www.suffolkpd.org and click the “Scam Alert” icon.
Anyone who feels they may be a victim of the scam should contact police at 631-852-COPS (2611).
Address/Location
Suffolk County Police - Headquarters
30 Yaphank Ave
Yaphank, NY 11980
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 631-852-2677