Williamsburg, NY – Con Edison suspects there may be a scam involving people posing as utility workers trying to gain entry into apartments and houses.
The Williamsburg section of Brooklyn is just one spot in New York City where seemingly questionable utility workers, men and women, are showing up and trying to get a foot in the door.
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Erin Brisbane says a young woman got into her locked building, and came to her door with some sort of utility ID badge.
“To be honest, she seemed a little shady to me,” Brisbane, “We just want to know if you’re interested in lowering your fill for Con Ed and National Grid?”
In the building next door, a newly minted lawyer, Stephanie McKaughan was also visited by the phony agent.
“They wanted a copy of our gas bill to see if we qualified for a discount,” she says. “She tried to talk me into going onto my computer and go online to give her our info and everything.”
Con Ed officials say if someone shows up claiming to be from Con Ed, ask to see an ID. But they point out, it’s unlikely anyone from Con Ed would show up out of the blue.
“If they’re coming at night, we don’t come at night. We don’t make house calls. We don’t come to read your meter unless we’ve made an appointment,” says Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin.
Con Ed says those who come to the door are either overly aggressive marketers or would-be thieves. Officials say if you suspect people are trying to get in to case the place or rob you, call the police.
Con Ed does have competitors. On its Web site, it offers a list of legitimate energy suppliers.
Thank you for posting it, in that case I will be alert .
Thanks again.
Everything I’ve heard about New Yorkers says that they are “street smart”, whatever thats supposed to mean . I figured it meant that they don’t fall for cheap tricks and stunts, scams etc. of this nature. Where I live, if they tried to gain entry like this the would be thief would hope very much that we would call the police. (I’ll let you figure out the implications of my statement)
they came to my door today and i told her my hubby takes all bills to his office and banged the door shut! she seemed very shady. sad though my next door neighbor did let her in!
good luck to all those scammed by her!
I had an overly agressive Cablevision sales guys show up unsolicited. At least he showed ID. Be careful. The bad economy brings out the scamsters.
is this the new way of stealing money????
this is old every couple of moths there are these phony people (wether there from verizon pse & g or now con ed,) surfaces in the news
A young black male came to my house tonight, promising to lower my Con Edison bill and requested to see one of my bills (I’m assuming to get some of my personal info.) In general, I probably would have suspected him, but I was especially suspicious since a Con Edison employee came to my house earlier today; what a coincidence! Be alert, and stay safe!!
2 blacks came to my house tonight with yellow IDT identification cards claiming to lower my ConEd bills. I asked him for literature, which he did not have, he wanted to see my bills. I was suspicious and sent them away. I guess I should have called Shmira.
there is such a thing sales people try to sell a product like gas or electric to compete with con edison etc. they may be legite or not .. but they they must have a photo I.D. ….and even then it may be false It’s every person’s choice whom you give the right to enter your apt. you don’t have to let nobody enter your apt. not even police or even the pres. be aware there are con- artist real GANUVIN & watch when some body is at your door again you must not let in NOBODY all company’s are coming by appoinment only take care
I live in BP and someone came to my house at 8:45pm. My wife just told them to get lost! Mneighbor gave them all the info the wanted!
They came to my mothers house in Willi in the evening, claiming they’re form Con Edison AND National grid, my mother got suspicious on the combo, they are 2 different companies, she wished them a good night and didn’t buzz the door back.
my friend had them a few weeks ago, a couple came in claiming to come for “Con Ed bill”.. a couple – man and a woman offered then to lower the utility bills thru an ESCO co. they said they have to decide, but they managed to walk out with a gas bill, and without the person’s consent they forged his signature! and he found out he is being supplied by a National grid competitor.
i am same as #4 …guess what! they’re back today…in willi area…different group from same “company” as yesterday