MAYS LANDING, N.J. - Atlantic City Electric reminds residential and commercial customers to take precautions when someone claiming to represent a business contacts them either in person or by telephone.

Atlantic City Electric is continually alerting residents and its customers to avoid falling victim to a "Green Dot MoneyPak" scam. Information from law enforcement officials and other utilities has indicated that scammers are continuing to target residential and commercial customers.

Scammers are telling these customers that the location's electric service account is delinquent and will be shut off for non-payment unless the customer purchases a "Green Dot MoneyPak" for a specific amount the scammer dictates from stores including CVS, Rite Aid and WaWa.

Victims are given instructions to call a scammer telephone number with their credit card account number and pin. Once the scammer obtains the card's identifying information, the value is then downloaded, swept and stolen. These transactions are untraceable.

Many companies, including Atlantic City Electric, will contact customers in person or via phone for various reasons. If someone claims to represent Atlantic City Electric, it's important that individuals take precautions to verify that the person calling is affiliated with Atlantic City Electric, especially if that person is requesting an immediate monetary payment.

When addressing past due accounts, Atlantic City Electric never endorses a specific form of payment. Instead, multiple payment options are always given to the customer.

Atlantic City Electric advises customers to ask for official photo identification from any person who shows up at their door. Employees from reputable companies will carry official company identification cards. If proper identification cannot be produced, customers should notify police and the company with whom the individual claims to be associated.

Similarly, if someone calls saying they represent a certain company, customers should ask them to verify their identity and affiliation. If customers have any doubt about the validity of a person's claim to represent Atlantic City Electric, they should call the company immediately at 1-800-642-3780.

For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acelecconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.