Warning – There appears to be a nationwide scam targeting utility customers to obtain social security numbers and bank routing numbers. Customers in at least five states have been contacted and told that President Obama has approved special funding through the Federal Reserve Bank for utility bill assistance. There is no such funding.

Through phone calls, in person door-to-door visits, or online solicitation, the scammers are asking customers for personal information. They then provide victims with a fraudulent bank routing number with which to pay their bills. The routing number is fraudulent and the payments will not be applied to their bills.

Tips to Help Protect You

The following tips can help to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:

 Remember that PGW employees will never demand that customers wire money to prevent a service shut off.
 Never reveal your credit card, automated teller machine, telephone calling card or personal identification numbers to anyone, especially over the telephone.
 Before paying your bill at a store or business, verify that the vendor is a PGW authorized payment agent by calling us at 215-235-1000.
 Payments intended for PGW should only be made out to “Philadelphia Gas Works” or “PGW.”
 Be suspicious if someone shows up without an appointment asking to check an appliance or suggesting another problem may be inside your home.
 Do not let anyone into your home unless you verify who they are and see the individual's identification and know the purpose for the visit.

If any PGW customers believe they are a victim of this scam they can notify local police, the state attorney general's office, the Better Business Bureau or other agencies. If they believe their PGW account has been affected, they should call 215-235-1000 to speak with a customer service representative.