Fake PSEG Guy??? archived

rwilson

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:06am

Sorry, I'm working from my phone and can't search, but I thought there was a post earlier about a fake PSEG guy running around Maplewood. But now I can't find it. I just wanted to see it because someone on our block said that last week coming home through the park from the train station they saw a guy dressed in what look liked a uniform, acting very out of place and suspicious. Now I'm wondering if there is a connection. Anyone know anything?

spontaneous

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:17am

I don't know about anything recent, but about a decade ago someone in a nondescript uniform went to Scully's house and claimed to be from PSE&G. He said he needed to get in the basement to check on the gas lines. She asked for ID and he seemed flustered. Her rottie (a VERY sweet and friendly dog) suddenly started growling and barking and chased the guy off the property. She then called PSE&G to apologize and said to send the guy back, that she would lock the dog up. PSE&G responded that they didn't have any open work orders for her house and also didn't even have anyone working in the neighborhood, so he wasn't one of their guys.

If the guy is legit, he should have no problem showing you ID, they always carry it. And I've never seen PSE&G guys working without some sort of officially marked PSE&G vehicle or truck, so if you don't see that in the area that is probably another tip off.

sprout

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:31am Edited

The thread is gone, but the post was only a link to another site that said they heard something reported about a possible fake PSE&G guy on the police scanner.

That said, I had a seemingly legit PSE&G guy come do a reading this morning (wearing his ID, used his monitor thingy, and he was the same guy who had come by to do readings before).

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:36am

So someone saw some guy in the park dressed in what looked like a uniform and looking out of place? Maybe he was on his way home like the person who saw him. Nonsense #-O

santa_dog

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:46am

i saw a guy i didnt recognize walking on my street so i called the cops because he may want to rob me.

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:50am

santa_dog said:
i saw a guy i didnt recognize walking on my street so i called the cops because he may want to rob me.

Do you make it a point to know everyone on your street? Mine is about 6 blocks long. Did he undress you with his eyes also grin

)

santa_dog

Sep 17, 2012 at 8:55am

METALART said:
santa_dog said:
i saw a guy i didnt recognize walking on my street so i called the cops because he may want to rob me.

Do you make it a point to know everyone on your street? Mine is about 6 blocks long. Did he undress you with his eyes also )

thats not a nice thing to say how dare you. im offended

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 9:08am

I'm sure you are especially since your post sounds like a 10 year old wrote it. " i called the cops because he may want to rob me". Please.

pixigirl

Sep 17, 2012 at 9:15am

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/fake_pseg_workers_visit_or_cal.html

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 9:19am

pixigirl said:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/fake_pseg_workers_visit_or_cal.html

Didn't realize there was a huge Spanish-speaking community around the Maplewood train station :-D

rwilson

Sep 17, 2012 at 9:50am Edited

I just found this on the South Orange Police Department website, under the heading "Fake Utility workers on the prowl" (or something like that) it is not recent. I could not find anything recent in Maplewood unfortunately. http://southorange.org/notices.asp?guid=8f679c10

guy

Sep 17, 2012 at 10:02am

A guy came to the door today wearing a pseg tshirt and carryingg a device, askIng to come in for a reading. I asked to see his pseg ID, and he didn't have one. I said no way and he left. There was no truck in sight. I let the cops know.

pixigirl

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:04am

Hey John Doe is kinda cute...single? ;-)

sac

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:17am

guy said:
A guy came to the door today wearing a pseg tshirt and carryingg a device, askIng to come in for a reading. I asked to see his pseg ID, and he didn't have one. I said no way and he left. There was no truck in sight. I let the cops know.

I had one of those guys ... I don't remember if he was wearing a hangtag ID or not, but I didn't ask for ID since he was wearing what appeared to be a uniform (brown and orange) - I just had him go to the basement door where I let him in. He evidently read the meter and then left. It's my meter reading day, so I didn't think anything of it. I'm pretty sure he was legit.

addiemoose

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:19am

do they come at 8 am generally? that struck me as early (today). wasn't our usual guy but seemed to have the right uniform...should I be worried?

Chronic247

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:38am

Here's a tip- Your PSE&G bill will always have a scheduled date for your next meter reading so you should only expect them on that date. You should also check for ID.

nakaille

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:42am

8 a.m is not unusual in my experience.

max_weisenfeld

Sep 17, 2012 at 11:49am Edited

8 am is not unusual, and it is the meter reading day for the Oakland Road area.

HaHa

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:09pm

I had one come the other day and I did what I have always done, let him in. I did think it was odd that PSE&G had wanted me to post it myself on a window starting a few months ago and suddenly a guy shows up. My official date to do that was the next day. I had a big conversation with him about where to post i the form as I walked him to the basement. He seemed legit and did all of the things the guys used to do. He did say that there were a bunch of new guys and they didn't always know where to look for the forms so I should post it on the front door. Should I be worried?

kook_10

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:14pm

Just about everyone has a camera on their phone these days. Why not ask him if you can take a picture if you're unsure?

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:17pm Edited

guy said:
A guy came to the door today wearing a pseg tshirt and carryingg a device, askIng to come in for a reading. I asked to see his pseg ID, and he didn't have one. I said no way and he left. There was no truck in sight. I let the cops know.

Most of those guys are on foot, if they used a truck for every house they went to it wouldn't be too productive. They don't need to come in but it's better for you if they do otherwise they estimate your usage.

http://www.pseg.com/home/welcome/meter.jsp#anchor0

KarenMarlowe

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:37pm

METALART said:
santa_dog said:
i saw a guy i didnt recognize walking on my street so i called the cops because he may want to rob me.

Do you make it a point to know everyone on your street? Mine is about 6 blocks long. Did he undress you with his eyes also )

I do. I want to know what everyone is up to. If you don't like it, too bad...

METALART

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:44pm

Whatever floats your boat :-|

spontaneous

Sep 17, 2012 at 12:49pm

METALART said:
guy said:
A guy came to the door today wearing a pseg tshirt and carryingg a device, askIng to come in for a reading. I asked to see his pseg ID, and he didn't have one. I said no way and he left. There was no truck in sight. I let the cops know.

Most of those guys are on foot, if they used a truck for every house they went to it wouldn't be too productive. They don't need to come in but it's better for you if they do otherwise they estimate your usage.

http://www.pseg.com/home/welcome/meter.jsp#anchor0

I guess for meter reading that makes sense. I have a remote reader, so I've never had to let them in the house to read the meter for as long as I've lived here. But for work, checking for a gas leak, etc, they should have a truck.

emmie

Sep 17, 2012 at 1:05pm

A guy wearing and orange T shirt with PSE&G printed on it, pulled up and parked his black car
in front of my house this morning. He had ear buds in his ears and what looked to be that black meter reading thing in his hand. Since today is meter reading day, I was happy to see him, since my meter hasn't been read in months! He walked around the neighborhood and seemed to be reading the meters at the houses that had outdoor meters, my meter is inside. My spouse was here to let him in, so I went on an errand, when I got home about 15 minutes later, he and his car were gone. He did not show up at my house. I was pretty ticked and called PSE&G who said they would message him to come and read my meter. He did not come back. Do all the meter readers wear real uniforms?

guy

Sep 17, 2012 at 2:04pm

He may have been legit. But he should have had his ID is he's asking to be invited in.

Laurie

Sep 17, 2012 at 2:21pm

The same guy with the orange shirt and ear buds came to our house just before noon today. I didn't think to ask for ID, I never do (but will now), however he had a device and PSE&G garb on so I assumed he was legit. All seemed well, however....I am reflecting on our conversation now and one of the first things he said was "You don't have a dog, do you?" to which I responded that we did however she was in her crate and friendly. I assumed he was somewhat fearful of dogs, but now I'm wondering if I gave too much information away and should have told him she hates strangers. Ugh!