TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is warning residents to be on alert for scams involving the state’s recently approved $100 electric bill credit program.
Officials said the agency has received reports of unsolicited calls from scammers posing as utility representatives and asking for personal or financial information to “sign up” customers for the credit.
“These calls are fraudulent attempts to steal personal information,” the NJBPU said in its alert. “No legitimate representative will call customers to enroll them in this program.”
The credit will be applied automatically to eligible accounts. All 3.9 million residential electric customers served by Public Service Electric and Gas, Jersey Central Power and Light, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric Company will receive the benefit. Customers do not need to take any action.
The $100 Residential Universal Bill Credit will be split into two $50 installments, appearing on utility bills in September and October.
The program is part of a $430 million relief package aimed at offsetting higher utility costs driven by rising capacity prices in the PJM wholesale electric market, which serves 65 million residents across 14 jurisdictions.
In addition, income-qualified residents may also receive a $175 Residential Energy Assistance Payment, which can be combined with the universal credit to provide further relief.
Residents who receive suspicious calls are urged to contact the NJBPU Customer Assistance Division at 800-624-0241.
