'Utility Worker' Threatens Shut-Off Unless Business Pays Thousands: Beware of Scam

Natick police say they are familiar with the cold calls to unwitting victims, with the caller demanding a payment be made with prepaid credit cards, or else the utility service “will be shut off.”

Recently, however, a Natick business experienced a more brazen scam.

The Natick employee was approached by a tall, white male in his 40s with “convincing Eversource identification.” The faux utility worker said he was there to shut off the business’s service if the owner didn’t make a payment.

The employee called the business owner, who said to call the number provided by the employee. When she called the number, she was directed to what was clearly an accomplice, demanding that several thousands of dollars be pre-paid to a card.

As Natick police reminds you, “no harm comes to you by taking a few minutes to run a suspicious solicitation by an officer.”