By Kathy Brown.
It seems like every week there’s a new warning about a scam that consumers are asked to be aware of, from fraudulent card readers at gas stations, to groups collecting for fake charities, to people who pose as utility workers. This week is no different.
Last week, according to a Facebook post by John Townsend of Deep River, he received a call from a man who claimed he worked for Eversource and “that he would be arriving at my house in 30 minutes to shut the power off due to non-payment of my bill.” Since Mr. Townsend always paid his bills, he got angry and asked for the phone number of the Eversource accounting department, which the caller gave him. After being told that he had been sent two notices which he ignored, he started to smell a rat. After hanging up the phone, he looked up the proper Eversource phone number, and confirmed that it was a scam.
“What the customer shared is another example of a problem not only here in Connecticut… it is another variation of a national issue with utilities around the country reporting all types of attempts to scam customers – both on the phone and in person,” said Mitch Gross, Eversource spokesman.
Eversource has a whole page devoted to scams on their website, and what you can do to protect yourself as a consumer: https://www.eversource.com/content/ct-c/residential/safety/protect-yourself/avoid-scams. Eversource recommends calling them at 800-286-2000 if something seems suspicious.
Eversource reminds consumers:
• Eversource representatives never ask for instant payment in person or over the phone.
• Eversource representatives do not require the use of pre-paid debit cards (such as Green Dot MoneyPak, Vanilla or Reloadit).
• Eversource representatives never request customers 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.
• Eversource representatives always carry company-issued photo identification and will always provide it when asked.
• Contractors working for Eversource always carry documentation explaining the nature and location of their work.
• Customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice via the U.S. mail which includes the actions they can take to maintain service.
• Eversource almost never makes unsolicited house visits. Exceptions might include accessing, maintaining, or ensuring the reliable and safe operation of our equipment.
• If you’re not sure the person is an Eversource employee, call us. We’ll be glad to verify if work is scheduled at or near your home or business and the identity of the employee.
If you are at all suspicious, call Eversource directly. “Regardless of what the caller claims to know about your account, hang up immediately and contact us directly to verify the call was legitimate. Never provide personal financial information to anyone calling or showing up at your door. Never allow an unexpected visitor claiming to be from Eversource into your home. Always tell the person to wait outside, get the person’s credentials, and call us directly to confirm their identity. If it is one of our employees, they will understand and will gladly wait for you to confirm their visit,” said Mr. Gross. “And if you’re still not sure – call the police.”
And if you hear of any new scams, let us know, so that we can help spread the word.