Eversource: Know the Signs of Utility Imposter Scams
BOSTON, Mass. — From phony calls threatening to shut off power to bogus emails and even imposters pretending to be employees, scammers posing as Eversource representatives are becoming increasingly more sophisticated.
Every day, electric, water, and natural gas customers throughout the country are being targeted by impostor utility scams. While their deceitful tactics may vary, including having multiple callers on the line impersonating representatives from more than one company as part of the scam, the goal is always the same – to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting people. In recognition of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) Day on Nov. 19, Eversource is joining utilities across the country in reminding customers to be vigilant and recognize the signs of suspicious behavior, especially with the busy holiday season approaching. The biggest red flag to be aware of is being asked to pay with a gift card, prepaid debit card or Bitcoin – Eversource will never contact a customer with these types of requests.
"These schemers have perfected their tactics, and they can be incredibly convincing – applying enough pressure to rush the customer into paying before they have time to check if the person is legitimate," said Founder of Utilities United Against Scams and Eversource Senior Vice President for Customer Operations and Digital Strategy Jared Lawrence. "We remind customers, if something doesn’t feel right or sound right, and you suspect someone is trying to scam you – don’t be afraid to hang up or shut the door on the person and then call us immediately at 800-592-2000 to verify the status of your account. If anyone asks you to buy gift cards and send them pictures or read them the numbers on the cards, you’re almost certainly being scammed."
As customers shop for third-party suppliers to lower their energy costs, another con to be aware of is people coming to the door and using deceptive marketing tactics to convince customers to switch energy suppliers. In Massachusetts, EnergySwitchMA.gov is the only official site managed by the Department of Public Utilities where customers can safely shop for energy.
With the holiday season right around the corner – a time when scam activity typically intensifies – customers are reminded of the following tips to stay safe:
- Eversource representatives will never ask for payment by gift card, prepaid debit cards, or Bitcoin.
- Never immediately pay, regardless of what the caller knows about the account or offers as an incentive. If the caller is requesting an immediate payment using a third-party service, at another location or via a prepaid debit card, hang up immediately and contact Eversource.
- Eversource representatives never require customers to go to a department or grocery store to make a payment.
- Verify the caller is legitimate by asking for basic information. Eversource representatives will always be able to provide the name on the account, the account address and the exact past due balance.
- 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 clothing with the company logo and drive company vehicles.
- Customers should never provide personal, financial, or account information to any unsolicited person on the phone, at the door, or online, even if they seem legitimate.
- Customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive several written notices, including an alert on their bill with information on how to maintain their service.
- Customers who doubt a call, in-person interaction, text, or email is legitimate should call Eversource directly at the number on their bill to confirm the authenticity of the contact.
- Customers should not search for Eversource’s phone number or website through a search engine. You can find contact information, including the website, on your Eversource bill.
- Do not accept offers from anyone to pay the customer’s bill or provide any other service for a fee. Even if the person claims to be an Eversource employee, it's likely a scam.
- Do not click on links or call numbers that appear in unexpected emails or texts. Clicking on a link can make a computer infected with malware, including viruses that can steal information and compromise the computer.
Be sure to visit Utilities United Against Scams for more tips and helpful information to stop scams.
