March 24, 2021

Beware of Utility Shut-off Scams

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I wanted to make you aware of an ongoing issue of scammers targeting utility customers in our state.

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent Eversource demanding immediate payment to avoid a shut-off, it’s likely a scam.

Do not provide your payment information, immediately contact Eversource (800-286-2000)
and verify your account status.

The video below includes an example of a likely scam call:

Other common scams include…

Overpayment scam: Scammers call claiming that you overpaid your utility bill and request your personal bank account or credit card information to give you a refund.
“Phishing” scam: You receive text messages requesting personal information from scammers pretending to be from a reputable company.
Requests to pay with unusual payment methods: Utilities never ask you to make a payment with a gift card, prepaid debit card or bitcoin.
Unexpected visitors: If you receive an unexpected visit from someone claiming to be from Eversource, call them at 800-286-2000 to verify the request.

How to Protect Yourself…

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.
Never immediately pay, regardless of what the caller knows about your 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 us directly to verify your account status.
Never wire money to someone you don’t know: Once you wire money, you cannot get it back.
Do not accept offers from anyone to pay your bill or provide any other service for a fee: Even if the person you’re speaking with 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: If you click on a link, your computer could become infected with malware, including viruses that can steal your information and compromise your computer.

For more information regarding potential scams, visit Eversource’s website.