BGE Warns Customers About Impostors
Impostors may pose as utility workers to gain access to homes to steal money and other valuables.
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Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is cautioning customers Wednesday to be on alert for persons posing as employees to gain access to homes and businesses, usually to steal money and other belongings.
Limited income and elderly customers seem to be among the most targeted customers, with impostors threatening to suspend utility service if an immediate “payment” is not made, according to a BGE press release.
“BGE reminds customers that employees carry photo identification cards, which should always be visible, especially during rare instances when a BGE employee must visit a customer’s home,” said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE in the release.
Customers should also be reminded that BGE no longer accepts cash payments in the field, and that utility workers only need access to a customer’s home in case of gas or electrical emergencies.
BGE encourages the following actions to ensure customer safety against impostors:
- Customers should never open their door to someone they don’t recognize and should always ask for a photo ID through the door or window, especially if you did not request a visit from BGE.
- All BGE employees and contractors carry company identification badges displaying their name, photograph and identification number. To verify a BGE employee’s identity or work being done at your home, call BGE at 800-685-0123.
- For your convenience and safety, BGE will bill you for all repair work and not ask for a payment at time of service.
- Customers who encounter suspicious activity or suspected utility imposters are urged to contact the police immediately.
BGE encourages customers to share these safety guidelines with neighbors and family members.
Frank Murray
4:23 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The good news is they could not shut off the power last week since many had none.
LJA
8:29 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thanks BGE for estimated bill jacking it up about $100 thats a clown act fools
Kraken Cubwiee
8:41 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
I know right? Who are the real crooks here? lol
Kraken Cubwiee
8:41 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
For real...who's the real crooks? BGE is no better.
kim rifield
11:52 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Thank you for the warning. The the posers know we are on to them they will keep on moving along..or find a job instead of robbing people.
Cathleen
11:52 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
I called BGE last week about a man going door to door in Crofton Mews wanting people's account number. He said that we were getting winter rates and should be getting cheaper summer rates. If we gave him our account number, he could call and get our price corrected. My husband answered the door and I watched/listened to this conversation while I was on the computer. I told this man that we were busy at the moment and could he come back later. He said he could as he was helping another neighbor later in the day. This man had a notebook full or papers with BGE logo on the front. As soon as he left, I called BGE. They said that BGE would never go door to door with something like this and that he was most likely with another utility company. This man never came back.
Bowie resident
8:15 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Two guys knocked on my door at 6:20 yesterday morning, they appeared to be with an electrical company. I didn't answer the door as it seemed suspiciously early for a utility worker. And they had backed into my driveway right up to the garage. Called Bge, Verizon, and Bowie public works, no one had sent anyone. They sat in my driveway for 20 min. Called the police, and no one I spoke to, including BGE mentioned this was going on. Then they drove off.
Jenni Pompi
8:16 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
I'm sure that was disconcerting. What did the police have to say?
Bowie resident
8:19 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Yes it was. The police really didn't say much of anything. They were sending a car, but once the men had driven away there was really no point and nothing else to report. I did follow up with the police to let them know that none of my utilities had send anyone, and this time they told me it could have been Pepco or something (I have BGE) and maybe they had the wrong address. So I reminded who I was speaking with about how early it was and that it didn't seem likely. Hopefully it is at least reported just in case it can help someone in the future.
Evan Jensen
1:12 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
These jackasses showed up at our door last weekend. Street clothes, no ID from BGE, claiming to be a "partner organization", something something "connect". The ids they furnished were clearly print-at-home fakes and they had no vehicle, so I told them to get lost. They hit most of the townhomes in Tyler Heights.
Rachel Osten
3:59 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
They came to Old Bowie last week. . fortunately I remembered the announcement that the city sent out recently about this. At least I called 911 and a car did show up in our neighborhood talking to the guys (who were walking from house to house). Not sure what ended up happening.