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While the scammers keep changing the scenario, the scheme to get people to “pay up” remains basically the same, Eversource said. The scammers, often sounding legitimate and quite convincing, threaten to shut off electric service immediately unless instant payment is made by a prepaid debit card.
So Eversource and the Better Business Bureau are warning customers to beware and know the tell-tale signs of the scams so that they can avoid becoming a victim.
“These scammers can be relentless but they’re only successful if they catch our customers off guard and scare them into making a payment,” said Penni Conner, senior vice president and chief customer officer at Eversource. “If anyone suspects that someone is impersonating an Eversource representative, they should contact us immediately and report it to local police. The key to stopping these scammers in their tracks is--don’t panic and don’t pay.”
Eversource representatives never demand instant payment over the phone, don’t require the use of pre-paid debit cards and never request customers meet at a payment center, such as a Walmart or Big Y grocery store to make the payment.
Customers can verify they are speaking with an Eversource representative by asking for some basic information about their account, like the name on the account, the account address, and the exact past due balance. The company urges anyone who has doubts about the legitimacy of a call, visit or an offer, to contact them directly at 1-800-286-2000.
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