PPL Electric Utilities reminds its customers to stay vigilant to prevent utility scammers who use deceptive tactics to fool customers into giving up their money or switching to a higher-cost electricity supplier.

These scammers are always looking for the next opportunity.

Many times third parties use the following tactics when contacting our customers:

• Misrepresenting themselves: “I’m calling on behalf of PPL (or your current supplier) ...”

• Misrepresenting supplier status: “Your current supplier is changing, or is no longer in business ...”

• Misrepresenting facts: “You must renew or change suppliers or your electricity will be shut off ...”

• Misrepresenting pricing: “We are offering lower rates than PPL (or your current supplier)” - when they do not really know what your current rates are.

• Misrepresenting total pricing: “This is the total price, including generation, transmission and distribution.”

• Misrepresenting their true intentions: “You will receive a free gift card by answering a few questions ...”(to obtain personal information or changing your supplier plan without your consent.)

The avoid falling victim to scams and to protect their customers, they remind customers that PPL does not market or sell supplier services by phone or door to door. If the solicitor claims to represent PPL call them directly.

Don’t always trust caller ID. Scammers can make it look like PPL is calling. If one suspects the caller might not really be PPL, hang up and call PPL directly.

Only return messages and calls to PPL at its official phone number: 1-800-342-5775.

Update your account with a security PIN or password and never give it to anyone who calls you. PPL will ask for your PIN and password when you call PPL to make sure it’s really you.

Create an online account. You can check your account information and current supplier at any time, from any device.

Keep your email address and phone number up-to-date. This way PPL can send you important notices, like this one. They prefer email or text so they can keep costs down for customers.