© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
Money sent to satisfy a fake shutoff demand goes to the scammer, and the utility cannot recover it.
Photo Credit: iStock
A surprise call or knock at the door claiming your power will be cut off unless you pay immediately can be frightening — and expensive.
PSEG Long Island is warning New York households that these high-pressure demands may be utility scams, and that one simple step could keep customers from losing money to fraud, according to LongIsland.com.
PSEG Long Island told customers not to send money in response to a sudden shutoff warning until they have confirmed it is real.
The utility said scam attempts are occurring by phone and sometimes at customers’ homes, with callers or visitors demanding immediate payment to avoid a power shutoff.
Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of customer operations, had simple advice for anyone who believes they’re facing a shutoff. 
“If someone threatens to immediately shut off your power, check your account online or call the number that’s printed on your bill to double-check before giving them any money,” he said.
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Starting at $50
Starting at $99
Starting at $60
Starting at $80
Another warning from the company concerns payment methods: scammers often steer people to outside web-based electronic payment platforms. 
PSEG Long Island said customers should use My Account for payments, not third-party web payment services, and treat outside payment requests as a major warning sign.
The deception can extend to face-to-face encounters, with impostors arriving at homes carrying bogus identification, wearing supposed work uniforms, or driving vehicles bearing fake company signage.
As is often the case, these scams rely on urgency. 
A demand tied to an immediate power shutoff can push customers to act before they notice clues that the threat is fake.
That kind of pressure can cause serious financial harm, especially for families already balancing school-year costs, utility bills, and other essentials. 
Money sent to satisfy a fake shutoff demand goes to the scammer, and the utility cannot recover it.
PSEG Long Island said door-to-door impostors may also try to collect personal information or promise phony discounts, even though legitimate utility workers do not ask for sensitive information at someone’s door.
Rather than responding to the threat on the spot, customers should check their account online or call the number printed on their bill to confirm the claim, the utility said.
When a person arrives claiming to be from the utility, and something feels off, customers should not let them inside and should call 1-800-490-0025 to verify the visit.
The utility said acceptable payments should be made through My Account, not through outside web-based electronic payment services. Anyone pressing for money through an external app or digital transfer service should be treated with immediate suspicion.
“All you need to do is contact PSEG Long Island independently and verify before acting,” DeBrino reminded customers.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source