Scammers Targeting Reading Light Customers

READING, MA -- Reading Municipal Light Department is warning customers that calls from someone demanding money on behalf of the utility is a scam artist. The utility, which provides electric service in Reading and Wilmington, said it has received reports about the phony phone calls. The utility is warning customers not to provide any personal information over the telephone until they can verify the identity of the caller.

The utility is also asking people who have received calls to contact RMLD at 781-942-6598. Customers can also use that number to verify incoming calls. For more information, see the utility's announcement on its Website.

It's not the first time someone has targeted RMLD customers. In 2013, Reading Police warned residents that someone was calling the utility's customer and threatening to turn off their power service if they did not make immediate payment. No arrests were ever made in that scam, in which the callers used spoofing technology to make the calls appear as if they were coming from RMLD on caller ID boxes.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).