Watch out for the utility billing scam. This scam has been going on now for a while throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Last Friday the Royal Buddha reported to the Milford Police Department that a woman called claiming to be from National Grid demanding payment for money owed. The woman who claimed to be from National Grid requested bank account information from Royal Buddha. Royal Buddha called National Grid directly and confirmed that the restaurant did not owe money. Royal Buddha requested the incident be logged at the Milford Police Department.
The following is a press release issued by National Grid on September 24, 2013.
WALTHAM, MASS. — National Grid is warning Grid customers to beware of the latest episode of utility billing scams. National Grid’s Customer Contact Center has received numerous calls from electric customers saying they have been contacted by phone by individuals claiming to be from National Grid and advising the customers they have a past due balance on their utility bill. These scammers warn that service will be shut off immediately, unless the customer provides sensitive bank account or cash card information and agrees to make an immediate payment.
National Grid does contact customers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options, but never demands direct payment over the telephone. If customers wish, they can arrange for a payment by check, credit card or debit card if they speak directly to a customer service representative. Payment can also be made by credit card or debit card without a representative’s assistance. Customers who have received calls demanding immediate payment and are asked for bank account information should contact National Grid immediately. To verify information and for any billing-related questions in New England, customers should call National Grid’s Customer Contact Center at 1-800-322-3223.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society – to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.
In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.
National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com
UPTON DAILY 