HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is warning of a new scam offering a “discount” for Eversource customers.
The scam follows high electric bills across the state stemming from rate increases in public benefits. State officials said scammers call customers offering a discount on future bills.
“Scammers are calling people up telling them that there is a discount available if they act quick quickly,” Kaitlyn Krasselt, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, said.
Krasselt noted that scammers will ask to confirm one's account information to apply the discount in order to get more sensitive information.
“They'll ask you to provide some personal information, like your name, your date of birth, your account number and they may even ask you to verify your payment information, so that they can confirm your account, and then obviously what happens is you don't receive a discount, and that scammer now has your personal information and potentially even your financial information,” Krasselt said.
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Anyone who was a victim of this scam is encouraged to report it to local police and to the Department of Consumer Protection. Officials recommend going the extra mile to prevent identity theft.
“Visit Identitytheft.gov, that's a federal website that can help you put in place a recovery plan,” Krasselt said.
While the current scam just targets Eversource customers, officials said United Illuminating customers need to keep an eye out for these scams too.
“Scammers are constantly changing their tactics to take advantage of unsuspecting customers – in this case they’re offering a fake special rate discount for seniors,” said Eversource Senior Vice President for Customer Operations and Digital Strategy Jared Lawrence. “We remind customers, if they get a call or text and something doesn’t seem right – don’t panic and don’t pay or give any personal information – and if you ever doubt who you’re talking to is legitimate, hang up and give us a call at 800-286-2000.”
Additional tips:
- 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 or a gift card.
- A customer is never required to provide a form of payment to Eversource when switching rates.
- Eversource representatives never request customers meet at 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 nonpayment receive written notice that includes information on how to maintain their service.
- Customers who doubt a call, in-person interaction, text or email is legitimate should call Eversource directly to confirm the authenticity of the contact.
- Customers should not search for Eversource’s phone number or website through a search engine. Contact information, including the website, on one's Eversource bill.
Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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