Police: Beware Of Scams Targeting Utility Customers

GUILFORD, CT — Police say there has been an uptick in fraudulent utility scammers targeting folks in Guilford.

"Over the last few weeks there has been an increase in fake Eversource scams and other fake utility scams in Guilford," police wrote on Facebook.

And Eversource is reaching out to consumers to warn them about scams.

Guilford Police wrote that it is "important to spread the word to friends and family that Eversource and other utility companies will never ask you to pay with prepaid cards. If there is ever a risk or shut off for utilities, you will receive official notice from the company with a grace period," and police say there will never be a call "for immediate payment by way of a prepaid card."

These are called impostor scams. They threaten to cut off service unless there's immediate payment using a prepaid card.

Here's an Eversource video that describes how these scams work.

Back in October, state Attorney General William Tong and the state Consumer Protection Commission cautioned about a scam where fake company reps called customers saying new meters needed to be installed and threatened to shut off service unless $300 was paid immediately. That scheme then was to get credit card information.

These calls often come with official looking numbers displayed. Refer to your bill to confirm any charges. Or call Eversource directly with any questions about billing.