Over the past week, the Ramapo Police Department has received multiple reports from residents who were scammed by individuals posing as representatives from Orange & Rockland Utilities.

In these cases, callers falsely claimed that the resident had an overdue utility bill and demanded immediate payment using gift cards, threatening that service would be shut off if payment was not made right away.

Ramapo Police warns that this is NOT how Orange & Rockland Utilities conducts business. Utility companies do not demand payment via gift cards. 

If you ever have doubts about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and initiate the call yourself using the official phone number listed on your bill or the company’s website.

It is especially disturbing that criminals are exploiting cold weather conditions and using fear to pressure residents into handing over their money. Police urged residents to stay alert and share this information with family and neighbors. 

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.

Town of Ramapo