Fraud involving a person calling a business and identifying herself as an Electric Company representative attempting to collect on overdue bills could be making a return to Ocean City.
Sharon Idell, who co-owns the Sunrise Cafe with her husband, Bob, received a call Wednesday afternoon asking her to pay the electric bill in full or risk having her power shut off. The Idells knew the bills all were paid in full, according to Bob.
The Ocean City Police Department had received reports of similar attempted fraud targeting local businesses in Ocean City in the fall.
The fraud involves a person calling a business and identifying herself as an Electric Company representative attempting to collect on overdue bills. The caller gives a return phone number and extension for the business to call back, the Ocean City Police Department reported at the time.
The initial call is usually made by a female. She tells the business to call back and speak with a named representative. If the business calls back, the phone will be answered. The business will be told they have one hour to make a cash payment by phone either with a prepaid money card or PayPal account. If the payment is not made the electric will be turned off, the scammers tell the business owners.
The Ocean City Police Department received a few reported incidents last year, including one in which the business did make a payment based on the information provided by the caller. The scam been occurring in other surrounding communities and also in Ocean City since early summer 2014.
Bob Idell said his return call on Wednesday was answered immediately and not by a recording — Idell's first confirmation that he couldn't possibly be speaking with a real utility company. He said it was clear from the conversation that he was not speaking to an electric company representative.
Ocean City Police Capt. Steve Ang was unavailable for immediate comment Wednesday on whether other businesses have been targeted recently.
If any local business owners receive a call of this nature, they should disregard the caller and contact the police department to report the incident. Do not give out any confidential information to a person on the phone. Do not send money to any unverified person or address before contacting the Ocean City Police Department at (609) 399-9111.
