New Jersey Natural Gas Company
11/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/14/2024 09:15
NEW JERSEY NATURAL GAS ENCOURAGES CUSTOMERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND GUARD AGAINST POTENTIAL SCAMS ON UTILITY SCAM AWARENESS DAY
New Jersey Natural Gas
NEW JERSEY NATURAL GAS ENCOURAGES CUSTOMERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND GUARD AGAINST POTENTIAL SCAMS ON UTILITY SCAM AWARENESS DAY
11/14/2024 - For Immediate ReleaseNovember 14, 2024 - New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), is joining with Utilities United Against Scams to raise awareness and encourage customers to guard against impostors posing as utility representatives. November 20th is Utility Scam Awareness Day, an important reminder for utility customers to stay vigilant and recognize the signs of potential utility scams. By better understanding these signs, NJNG customers can protect themselves from scams and take proper steps if they notice suspicious activity.
"New Jersey Natural Gas encourages our customers to be familiar with common red flags of utility scams so they can safeguard their sensitive personal and financial information," said Marissa Travaline, vice president of Customer Service, Marketing and Energy Efficiency. "Never trust anyone who pressures you for immediate payment or makes any unusual utility request. Customers should always contact their utility provider to confirm that any outreach is legitimate."
Unsuspecting utility customers are targeted by impostors acting as utility representatives. Some examples of the strategies scammers use include:
- Falsifying caller ID and sending phishing emails that appear to be from NJNG. Emails from NJNG are sent from @njng.com or @4you.njng.com.
- Threatening to turn off services (via phone or in-person) unless immediate payment is made via prepaid credit card, Venmo®, Apple Pay®, etc. NJNG only accepts online payments via its online customer portal.
- "Slamming" scams that switch customers to another energy supplier without their authorization. Customers are encouraged to use caution when sharing their NJNG account numbers and fully evaluate and understand any offer of service before agreeing.
- Tricking customers into thinking they are eligible for a credit card. NJNG does not offer credit cards.
Alternately, NJNG's contact information can be found on the customer's natural gas bill and company website. When NJNG representatives come to the door, they carry official company photo ID and drive commercial vehicles clearly marked with the NJNG logo. If a customer is in arrears, NJNG communicates through written notices via mail or through attempts to work with them to find payment solutions. NJNG employees will never demand immediate payment or request banking and personal information.
To learn more ways to stay safe against scams, visit njng.com/safety and the Federal Trade Commission's website at consumer.ftc.gov/scams.
About New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR is composed of five primary businesses:
- New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR's principal subsidiary, operates and maintains natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve approximately 582,000 customers in New Jersey's Monmouth, Ocean and parts of Morris, Middlesex, Sussex and Burlington counties.
- Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar projects with a total capacity of approximately 474 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
- Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
- Storage and Transportation serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its ownership of Leaf River Energy Center and the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline, as well as our 50% equity ownership in the Steckman Ridge natural gas storage facility.
- Home Services provides service contracts as well as heating, central air conditioning, water heaters, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes throughout New Jersey.
NJR and its over 1,300 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as SAVEGREEN® and The Sunlight Advantage®.
For more information about NJR:
Visit www.njresources.com.
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NJNaturalGas.
"Like" us on Facebook @NewJerseyNaturalGas.
Contact:
Mike Kinney, Media
732-938-1031
Adam Prior, Investors
732-938-1145