Queens Local News: Scammers Are Getting Smarter — Here’s How Con Edison Wants You to Stay Safe

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How to Spot Scammers Preying on Con Ed Customers 



Queens Voice 

November 20, 2025


NYC LOCAL NEWS - If it feels like scammers are everywhere these days, that’s because… they kind of are. And according to Con Edison, the people trying to steal customers’ money and personal information are doing their homework. They’re learning new technologies, new tricks, and new ways to make themselves look legitimate. That’s why the company is urging all of its 3.7 million customers to stay alert.


They’ll Try Anything — and They’ll Target Anyone

Scammers don’t discriminate. Whether you’re a business owner in Manhattan, a family in Queens, or a homeowner in Westchester, you’re fair game. They’ll reach out through phone calls, texts, emails, and even show up at your doorstep pretending to be from Con Edison.


And unfortunately, it works.


“We have heard sad stories about scammers taking hundreds, even thousands, of dollars from our customers,” says Michael Murphy, Con Edison’s vice president of Customer Operations. His advice: be vigilant, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to call the company if something feels off.



The Good News: Con Edison Is Fighting Back


Con Edison isn’t tackling this alone. They share scam-prevention strategies with more than 150 utilities across North America as part of Utilities United Against Scams. They’re also highlighting safety tips during International Fraud Awareness Week — because this problem isn’t going away.



So What Should You Watch For?


Here are the biggest red flags Con Edison wants customers to know about:


  1. They’ll ask for personal info. Con Edison won’t.


A real Con Edison employee will never ask you for sensitive personal details like your Social Security number, date of birth, or banking info. If someone does? Hang up immediately and call 1-800-75-CONED.


2. They might demand a payment with prepaid cards or cryptocurrency.


Scammers love prepaid gift cards and Bitcoin because once you pay, the money is gone for good. Con Edison doesn’t accept these payments — ever.
They also don’t take payments through apps like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.


3. They might spoof the caller ID.

Just because it says “Con Edison” doesn’t mean it is. Caller ID is extremely easy to fake.


4. They’ll send sketchy emails.

If you get an email claiming to be from Con Edison, check the sender’s address. Legitimate messages will always come from an address ending in coned.com.


5. They might show up at your door.


This one can be especially dangerous. Scammers have shown up in person, claiming to be employees, and once inside, some have stolen valuables — and in the worst cases, even assaulted residents.


How to Check if Someone at Your Door is the Real Deal

Real Con Edison employees carry a photo ID with their name and employee number. If you’re unsure, you can ask for their supervisor’s name and a “ticket” number for the job they’re doing. Still cautious? Call 1-800-75-CONED to verify before letting anyone in.


A true employee will never pressure you.


Con Edison Is Taking This Seriously


Behind the scenes, Con Edison works closely with cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement to track and shut down scams. But they want customers to know: your awareness is your best protection.



Bottom Line: When in Doubt, Reach Out



If anything feels fishy — a phone call, a knock at the door, a weird email — trust your instincts and contact Con Edison directly.



Scammers are getting smarter, but with the right information, so are you.

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