Three instant red flags

1. Prepaid debit card or gift card

PSE&G never accepts these as payment, full stop. The same applies to wire transfers and cryptocurrency.

2. Shut-off in 30 minutes

NJ rules require at least 10 days' written notice before disconnection, and only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mon to Thu.

3. Refuses to verify your account

A real PSE&G rep can tell you the last five digits of your account number. A scammer can't.

If any one of these is present: hang up. Then call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734 to check on your real account status.

How PSE&G actually contacts customers

PSE&G does call, email and visit customers; the call itself isn't proof of a scam. The differences are in the terms and the verification. Knowing how a real interaction works makes the fake ones obvious.

What a legitimate PSE&G contact looks like

  • Caller can read back the last 5 digits of your account number.
  • Field employees carry a photo PSE&G ID and arrive in clearly marked vehicles.
  • Email comes from [email protected] and asks you to log in at pseg.com, not click a payment link.
  • PSE&G never demands a specific payment method; check, ACH, card and several cash agents are all accepted.
  • For arrears, PSE&G offers a written deferred-payment plan first, not an over-the-phone wire.

What a scammer does

  • Spoofs the PSE&G phone number on caller ID; refuses to verify account details when challenged.
  • Threatens shut-off in 30 to 60 minutes if you don't pay right now.
  • Insists on prepaid debit card (Green Dot, MoneyPak, Vanilla), gift cards, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
  • Asks you to call back a number that mimics PSE&G's voice menu, then captures the prepaid-card PIN over the phone.
  • At the door: refuses to wait outside while you call to verify, or pressures you to show your bill or pay cash.

The NJ shut-off rules a scammer hopes you don't know

The NJ Board of Public Utilities Customer Bill of Rights sets strict rules for how and when a utility can disconnect residential service. Memorize these and most scam pitches fall apart immediately.

10-day written notice

A final shut-off notice must be delivered in person or by mail at least 10 days before the disconnection date. You will never be surprised by a same-day shut-off.

20-day grace period after due date

PSE&G cannot send a final disconnection notice until at least 20 days after the payment due date has passed.

Shut-off only Mon to Thu, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Disconnection cannot happen on weekends, holidays or days when PSE&G's main business office is closed. A "we're cutting you off this evening" threat is automatically false.

Winter Termination Program (Nov 15 to Mar 15)

If you are enrolled in a budget or assistance program (LIHEAP, USF, PAGE, SSI, TANF) and are making reasonable payments, PSE&G cannot shut off service from November 15 to March 15. Medical-hardship exceptions apply year-round.

One guaranteed deferred payment plan per year

If you are behind, you can request a deferred payment plan once every 12 months by calling 1-800-357-2262. The plan must be offered in writing.

Common PSE&G scams (2024 to 2026)

The variants change, but the pattern keeps repeating. Here are the most-reported PSE&G scams of the last two years.

Imminent shut-off + prepaid debit card
Caller claims you are behind on your bill and service will be cut in 30 minutes unless you pay via Green Dot MoneyPak or a similar prepaid card. They will give you a call-back number that mimics PSE&G's IVR. Once you read off the card PIN, the money is gone. PSE&G never accepts prepaid debit or gift cards. Always end the call and dial 1-800-436-7734.
Refund-overpayment phishing email
Email claims PSE&G owes you a refund and links to a fake login page that harvests credentials. Legitimate PSE&G messages come from [email protected] and ask you to log in at pseg.com directly, never via an embedded link. Hover over the link before clicking, and when in doubt, type the URL yourself.
Door-to-door supplier (slamming)
Someone in a high-visibility vest knocks, claims to be from PSE&G or "the energy program," and asks to see your bill so they can "fix the rate." The pitch is to switch you to a third-party supplier with an introductory teaser rate that resets after 30 to 90 days. PSE&G does not sell energy supply door-to-door, and never asks to look at your bill. If you didn't initiate the visit, do not show the bill.
"Smart-meter inspection" door scam
With PSE&G's $1 billion smart-meter rollout, scammers showed up claiming to "verify" or "remove" meters for a fee. PSE&G never charges for a meter exchange and crew arrivals are scheduled in advance via mail and My Account notification. If a meter visit was not on your calendar, call 1-800-436-7734 before opening the door.
"Federal energy stimulus" text and email
A long-running national scam recycled almost every year: a text, email or robocall says the federal government will pay your utility bill if you submit your Social Security number and a bank routing number. There is no such program. Real assistance (LIHEAP, USF) is processed by NJ DCA Community Action Agencies, not by an SMS link.

What to do if you have been targeted

If you suspect you have been targeted, or have already paid a scammer, act quickly. The money may be unrecoverable but you can still protect your account and your identity.

1

Call PSE&G directly

Dial 1-800-436-7734 from a phone the scammer hasn't been on. PSE&G can confirm whether the contact was legitimate and flag the account.

2

Report to PSE&G Business Assurance & Resilience

Email [email protected] with the date, time, caller-ID number, and what was said. PSE&G coordinates with law enforcement on patterns.

3

File with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs

Online at njconsumeraffairs.gov or by phone at (973) 504-6200. State complaints support investigations and refund programs.

4

Report to the FTC and local police

File at reportfraud.ftc.gov and call your local police non-emergency line. If you sent money, do this within 24 hours.

5

If you shared bank or SSN details, lock your credit

Place a free credit freeze at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). It blocks new accounts being opened in your name.

PSE&G accepts these payment methods, and only these

If anyone tells you PSE&G accepts something not on this list, it is a scam.

Cash

At any PSE&G authorized walk-in pay agent within the service territory.

Check or money order

By mail to PSE&G, PO Box 14444, New Brunswick, NJ 08906.

Bank account / ACH

Free, by phone at 1-800-553-7734 or via My Account.

Credit or debit card

A $3.95 third-party processing fee applies. Phone 1-888-575-6273.

PSE&G never accepts prepaid debit cards (Green Dot, Vanilla, MoneyPak), gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

18 deregulated jurisdictions

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