Con Edison Warns Public to Beware of Scammers

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -01/13/12)- Con Edison is warning its customers and other members of the public to be vigilant in protecting themselves against several types of scams that have been reported to the company.

The company places the safety of the public first and is working with authorities to catch those who have been trying to pull the scams.

In particular, Con Edison advises people to guard against the following:

• E-mail viruses - Con Edison has received reports of e-mails that appear to be from Con Edison and contain a 'zip file' that may create a computer virus. The "From" field of the e-mail reads "no-reply-billing@coned.com" or "no-reply-billing@conedison.com." Do not open or forward these e-mails. File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
  
  
• Green Dot scams - Customers have reported receiving calls from someone instructing them to buy a Green Dot Money Pak in order to pay their utility bill. Con Edison does not accept payments via Green Dot Money Paks.
  
  Be alert if anyone asks you by telephone to arrange for pre-paid credit cards as payment for your bill, or to send money to an out-of-state address. Con Edison does not authorize these payments. Never arrange payment or divulge account or personal information over the telephone, unless you are certain you are speaking to a Con Edison representative.
  
  
• Imposters - Any Con Edison employee arriving at your home or business to read your meter will have a visible photo identification badge. Feel free to ask or check for identification before allowing anyone into your home or business. If you feel the person at your door may be an imposter, you can call 1-800-75CONED (1-800-752-6633) to check.
  
  

Anyone who feels they may have been a target of an imposter or Green Dot scam should call their local police department. They may also call Con Edison.

Con Edison's website, www.conEd.com, offers a variety of approved and convenient options for bill payment.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED - News), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $37 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit us at www.conEd.com, at our green site, www.coned.com/thepowerofgreen, or find us on Facebook at Power of Green.