UPDATE: Toms River Businesses Targeted in Electric Bill Scam

Toms River police are warning business owners in the area that two businesses have been victimized during the last month in a scam that centers around their electricity bills.

The businesses have been contacted by telephone and told they are behind in their JCP&L electrical bills, said Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. 

The caller then tells the business owner that their electricity will be shut off shortly if they don’t make a payment. The suspect then instructs the business to make the payment in Paypal or MoneyPak cards, said Mastronardy.

Officer Michael MacDonald investigated an incident reported on Friday by a Route 37 restaurant that made three Paypal or MoneyPak card payments totaling $1,497.23. 

Jersey Central Power and Light have been made aware of the incidents that have been reported and are urging businesses to call them at 1-800-662-3115 if they have a billing concern.