Con Edison Warns New Yorkers of Rising Scam Attempts Targeting Utility Customers
NEW YORK — Con Edison is urging customers across New York City and Westchester County to stay vigilant as scammers increase efforts to steal money and personal information. Fraudsters are impersonating company employees through phone calls, text messages, emails, and even in-person visits, attempting to pressure customers into making fake payments.
Michael Murphy, Con Edison’s Vice President of Customer Operations, said the company continues to hear “heartbreaking stories” of customers losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars to increasingly sophisticated schemes.
“Scammers never stop looking for new ways to steal,” Murphy said. “We urge customers to stay aware of these tactics and contact us if they’re ever unsure about a payment method or communication.”
The warning comes during International Fraud Awareness Week, as Con Edison partners with more than 150 utilities in North America through the Utilities United Against Scams initiative.
🔒 How Scammers Target Con Edison Customers
Scammers use several methods to impersonate the utility company, including:
- Spoofed phone calls that display Con Edison’s name or number
- Emails with fake billing notices
- Texts claiming service termination
- Door-to-door visits pretending to be technicians or inspectors
Both residential and business customers are at risk, according to the company.
⚠️ Top Scam Prevention Tips from Con Edison
Con Edison has released key guidelines to help customers protect themselves:
✔ 1. Con Edison will never ask for sensitive information
The company will not request:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank details
- Account balances
- Payment card information
If someone asks for this, hang up immediately and call 1-800-75-CONED.
✔ 2. The company does not accept payment through:
- Prepaid gift cards
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, etc.)
- Cash apps such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal
Anyone asking for payment through these methods is a scammer.
✔ 3. Verify emails before clicking links
Official emails always end with: @coned.com
Any address that doesn’t match should be considered fraudulent.
✔ 4. Confirm employee identity before letting anyone inside your home
Ask for a Con Edison ID badge and call 1-800-75-CONED to verify the employee’s name and ID number before allowing entry.
Some scammers who gained entry to homes have:
- Stolen money
- Taken personal property
- In rare cases, committed assaults
✔ 5. Be cautious of “refund” or “discount” offers
If someone contacts you about a refund and asks for account or banking information, it’s almost certainly a scam.
🚨 Con Edison’s Message to the Public
The company emphasizes that scammers are becoming more aggressive and more convincing, often using technology to fake caller IDs or create emails identical to real company messages.
Con Edison urges all customers—especially seniors, small businesses, and non-English speakers—to treat any unexpected request for payment or personal data with extreme caution.
📞 What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
Customers should immediately:
- Hang up or stop communicating
- Call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)
- Report suspicious behavior to the police
- Never share personal or financial information