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Scammers have been posing as Eversource employees to obtain money, demand personal information for identity theft or use deceptive tactics to persuade customers to switch energy suppliers, Eversource officials say.
“We always want to protect our customers from scams, and that’s why it’s critical we continue to raise awareness and educate the public about all the different tactics these scammers use,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. “If someone shows up at your home or calls you and demands immediate payment, do NOT give it to them. Call us right away at 1-800-286-2000 to verify ANY request for payment or personal information.”
One commonly seen scam occurs when a customer receives a call warning that their utility service will soon be shut off due to unpaid bills. Sometimes, the scammer can “spoof” the caller ID to make the call seem as though it is originating from Eversource.
Both homeowners and businesses have been targeted in this scam, and reports show that it’s often successful. The median loss for a utility scam victim is $500, according to the Better Business Bureau’s 2018 Scam Tracker Risk Report.
Eversource urges its customers to remember:
- Eversource representatives never demand instant payment in person or over the phone.
- Eversource representatives do not require the use of prepaid debit cards (such as Green Dot MoneyPak, Vanilla or Reloadit.)
- Eversource representatives never request customers to meet at a payment center, such as a department or grocery store, to make a payment.
- Eversource does not solicit door-to-door or on the phone on behalf of third-party energy suppliers.
- All Eversource employees carry photo identification; field workers wear company logoed clothing and drive company vehicles.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of a utility scam is urged to alert local law enforcement and contact Eversource directly at 1-800-286-2000.
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