Local Energy Companies Warning of New Round of Scams
Reports are coming in to NYSEG and RG&E, AVANGRID companies of a new round of scams making the rounds. Customers of these companies are receiving phone calls from people pretending to a representative or consultant from one of these energy companies.
Customers have been reporting that the caller seems to have specific information about them. The caller threatens to turn off the customer's service unless an immediate payment is made over the phone using a prepaid debit card such as “Green Dot.” Whenever a caller requests a pre-paid card of any kind, that is a sure sign of a scam. Don't be fooled by the caller seeming to have specific information about you.
In the case of customers receiving phone calls from these energy companies, be aware that both NYSEG and RG&E provide a mailed notice before terminating a customer’s service for non-payment, and employees do not perform shut-offs during hours when the Customer Service Center is closed. Any customer who is uncertain whether a call is genuine should hang up and call the their company: NYSEG customers can call 800-572-1111 and RG&E customers can call 800-743-2110.
Related to this energy company phone scam, there have also been reports from customers about scammers going door-to-door, pretending to be a contractor working for NYSEG and RG&E and asking to come in to read your gas meter. Always ask for identification since contractors working for NYSEG and RG&E will always carry proper identification. If you are at all unsure if the visit is not legitimate, you are encouraged to call your energy company's customer service number and inquire.