Greenport Village Mayor David Nyce addressed a phone scam that’s popped up again in recent weeks.
“The scam involved a past due balance, with someone instructing the resident to get a money card from 7-Eleven to pay the bill,” Nyce said. “The Village of Greenport would never ask you to go to 7-Eleven for a money card.”
The mayor said if residents have any suspicions that they have been targeted, they should feel free to call Village Hall.
When the scam first was reported in the spring, Nyce said village officials worked with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office and the police department. “I don’t know if there were any arrests, but it died out,” he said.
Then, earlier in November, a phone scam was reported — again — in Greenport, but this time, with a twist.
According to one Greenport business owner, the same person who scammers called in May, he received another call rom someone he believes is the same person engaged in the last scam — but this time, posing as a PSEG employee.
“Do not pay anyone over the phone,” he warned.
Earlier this month, Greenport officials urged residents and business owners to exercise caution.
“It appears that there may be a resurgence of the scam that involves the payment of utility bills,” said Greenport Village Clerk Sylvia Lazzari Pirillo.
Back in May, scammers first started calling Greenport village business owners and residents about their utility bills, police said.
“We have had several complaints, mostly from business owners, from a caller stating he was representing a utility company,” said Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley. “The caller informs the owner that they owed a certain amount of money on their bill and the utility would be turned off if they did not remit a certain amount of money.”
At the time, one Main Street business owner said he got a call from a man saying he was with “Greenport Electric,” who asked him for personal information. When the business owner asked the caller to meet in person to pay, the caller threatened to “come and kill you.”
To report suspicious activity, residents are asked to call the Greenport Village office at 631-477-0248. The number given by the scammer is not the official village number, said Lazzari Pirillo. Those receiving a suspicious call, should check the phone number given against the official village number.
Residents should only call 631-477-0248 to discuss their utility bills.
