Know the Signs of Imposter Scams

Opinion

By JARED LAWRENCE

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. While their deceitful tactics may vary, the goal is always the same — to steal money and personal information.

Eversource is joining utilities across the country in reminding customers to be vigilant and recognize the signs of suspicious behavior.

These bad actors have it down to a science, and they can be incredibly convincing — instilling a sense of urgency so customers feel like they don’t have time to check if the person is legitimate before following their demands. We remind our customers that, if you notice any red flags, don’t be afraid to hang up or shut the door on someone who may be trying to scam you, and then call us immediately at (877) 659-6326 to verify the status of your account.

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.

With the holiday season in full swing — a time when scam activity typically intensifies — customers are reminded of the following tips to stay safe:

• Eversource representatives do not require the use of prepaid debit cards, such as Green Dot MoneyPak, Vanilla, or Reloadit. They will also never ask customers to pay using a Bitcoin ATM.

Eversource representatives never require customers to go to a department or grocery store to make a payment.

• 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.

• 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 who are scheduled for disconnection due to non-payment receive several written notices, including an alert on their bill, that includes information on how to maintain their service.

• Customers who doubt whether 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.

Visit Utilities United Against Scams at www.utilitiesunited.org for more tips and helpful information to stop scams.

Jared Lawrence is the founder of Utilities United Against Scams and senior vice president for Customer Operations and Digital Strategy at Eversource.