LIPA Phone Scam Hits Garden City

A new, nationwide utility bill scam has hit Garden City.

According to the Garden City Police Department, several residents this month reported they received phone calls from persons claiming to be from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), demanding payment through a pre-paid card on past-due balances. Callers are threatening residents that if they don't make payment through these methods their service will be shut off.

In some cases, callers are also stating the customer may have a faulty meter that is dangerous and in need of replacing for a substantial fee.

LIPA officials advise that the authority does not accept payments through pre-paid cards and the electric meters are not customer-owned. Further, though LIPA does contact customers with past due balances by phone, direct payment over the telephone is never demanded.

LIPA offers the following tips from the Better Business Bureau to avoid falling for this scam:

• Never provide your Social Security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone or at your home unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.
• If you receive a call claiming to be your utility company and feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call the customer service number on your utility bill.
• Never allow anyone into your home to check electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a utility problem. Also, ask utility employees for proper identification.
• Always think safety first. Do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for information or in person to get into your home.