Police Warn of Phone Scam Targeting Brigantine

Phone scammer have launched a new attack aimed at defrauding unsuspecting residents in South Jersey and this one appears to be targeting Brigantine.

Brigantine Police are warning that several residents have received calls from people saying they are employees with Atlantic City Electric. During these phone calls the individual threatens to turn off the victim’s electric if they do not make a payment using certain gift cards. When the number is called back, a person answers the phone representing themselves as “Atlantic Electric.”

These scammers also use a tactic called "spoofing" to manipulate the Caller ID displayed phone number so that it appears as an Atlantic City Electric number.

On their website, Atlantic City Electric has been warning of these scam calls throughout their service area...

Atlantic City Electric has seen an increase in reports of individuals calling Atlantic City Electric customers and falsely claiming their electric or gas service will be disconnected unless payment is made. These impersonators instruct customers to buy a prepaid credit card and call back to a different phone number with the personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information.

Atlantic City Electric representatives will never call you to ask you for cash or request that you purchase a prepaid credit card to make a payment on your bill. If you have concerns about the status of your account, call Atlantic City Electric's Customer Service line at 1-800-833-7476.

If you have been the victim of a scam or any other crime, please contact the Brigantine Police Department at (609) 266-7414.

Sources: Brigantine Police/Atlantic City Electric