National Grid Urges Customers to Be Aware of Rising Scam Calls

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WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid is alerting customers to be aware of scam calls targeting residents and businesses across its service territory.

If contacted by someone claiming to represent the company, National Grid recommends that customers always ask for identification.

These scams typically involve callers claiming a customer's account is past due and threatening immediate service disconnection unless payment is made. Scammers may also use "spoof" phone numbers, so calls appear from National Grid.

National Grid reminds customers that while the company may contact customers regarding their accounts or service, it will never demand immediate payment through prepaid cards, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or third-party payment apps.

Customers should be aware of common red flags, including:

  • Threats of immediate service disconnection without prior written notice
  • Requests for personal, financial, or account information
  • Demands for immediate payment using prepaid or non-traditional payment methods
  • Callers who cannot verify account details

National Grid encourages customers to verify any suspicious communication by contacting the company directly using the phone number listed on their bill. Customers should never provide personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller.

If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately and report the incident to National Grid or local law enforcement.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

State Housing Secretary Tours Downtown Pittsfield Developments

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state's new secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on Monday saw how local developers are transforming historic buildings into downtown housing units. 

Secretary Juana Matias, appointed to the role in February, toured the former St. Joseph's High School on Maplewood Avenue and the near-complete Wright Building Block on North Street.   

Matias observed local leaders working collaboratively to dismantle bottlenecks in housing production, something she said the administration wants to see across all 351 municipalities.  

"This is a perfect model of the partnerships we want to see, and we love coming to the ground and seeing how people are leveraging public taxpayer dollars to help address the issue of our time, which is housing production," she said after the tours. 

Developer David Carver, of Scarafoni Associates & CT Management Group, is seeking support from the state Housing Development Incentive Program to transform St. Joe's into apartments, and Allegrone Companies has secured millions from the program towards the Wright Building renovation

They first visited the shuttered school that functioned as a shelter during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, greeted by broken windows and leaving with Carver's vision. 

The plan is to transform the school with good bones into 19 apartments, 20 percent designated affordable, and 30 percent of the building for commercial use.  Units are expected to cost between $1,700 and $1,900 per month; 14 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units are planned. 

The project team is in talks with the nearby Berkshire Family YMCA to expand their childcare activities to the building's lower level.  Residents and the daycare would use different entrances. 

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