NYPD warned US citizens of fraudsters posing as employees of energy company Con Edison and demanding payment of bills in bitcoins.
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Beware of scammers visiting, emailing, or calling about @ConEdison bills or disconnecting service. @ConEdison will not turn off service during #coronavirus pandemic. Con Edison NEVER accepts payment via prepaid gift cards, money apps or Bitcoin. Visit: https://t.co/HhbPGfd85L https://t.co/ELj3uyF0uL
— NYPD 23rd Precinct (@NYPD23Pct) April 14, 2020
Attackers can send emails, make calls, and even personally come to the victim’s home disguised as company representatives and threaten to cut off electricity. It is noteworthy that the "electricity bills" that scammers carry are set in cryptocurrency.
The police warned that Con Edison will not disconnect anybody from power services during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Con Edison never accepts payment through prepaid gift cards, cash applications or bitcoins.
Earlier, the FBI warned US citizens about the activation of fraudsters exploiting the increased fears of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the capabilities of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.