Original Article | Eversource.com

Protect Yourself From Scams

Modern scam artists use sophisticated and intimidating tactics. Protect yourself by being vigilant, staying informed and guarding your personal information.

If something seems suspicious, call us immediately at 800-662-7764 and report the incident to your local law enforcement.

Example of a scammer pretending to be Eversource:

Common Signs of a Scam

If you receive a phone call without prior notification demanding immediate payment to avoid shut off, it’s likely a scam.

Other common scams

Overpayment scam: Scammers call claiming that you overpaid your utility bill and request your personal bank account or credit card information to give you a refund.
“Phishing” or “smishing” scam: You receive text messages requesting personal information from scammers pretending to be from a reputable company.
Requests for a deposit to exchange your utility meter – if anyone claims you need to pay for a new meter to be installed because yours is about to expire, you can ignore the request. Meters do not expire.

Download our Stop the Scams, Learn the Signs flyer for more ways scammers try to trick you.

Esta información está disponible en español.

How Does Eversource Help Protect You From Scams?

Eversource representatives always carry company-issued photo identification and will always provide it when asked.
Contractors working for Eversource always carry documentation explaining the nature and location of their work.
Customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice via the U.S. mail which includes the actions they can take to maintain service.
Eversource almost never makes unsolicited house visits. Exceptions might include accessing, maintaining, or ensuring the reliable and safe operation of our equipment.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

There are steps you can take to minimize your risk of being prey to a scammer.

Verify the caller is legitimate by asking for basic information. Our representatives will always be able to provide the name on the account, the account address and the exact past due balance.
Never immediately pay, regardless of what the caller knows about your account or offers as an incentive. If the caller is requesting an immediate payment using a third-party service, at another location or via a prepaid debit card, hang up immediately and contact us.
Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Once you wire money, you cannot get it back.
Do not accept offers from anyone to pay your bill or provide any other service for a fee. Even if the person you’re speaking with claims to be an Eversource employee, it’s likely a scam.
Do not click on links or call numbers that appear in unexpected emails or texts. If you click on a link, your computer could become infected with malware, including viruses that can steal your information and compromise your computer.

More Resources

Utilities United Against Scams is a consortium of more than 100 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities and related associations. The organization’s website has a number of resources available is dedicated to raising awareness and educating customers about scams.

Other resources include:

Consumer’s Guide to Impostor Utility Scams – An educational guide that provides key information to consumers and community leaders on the types of impostor utility scams that are occurring across the country.
Be Aware of These Common Scams – Download this flyer to learn about six very common scams and how to recognize them.
Better Business Bureau – Interactive pages intended to provide customers with real-time information and details about current scams complete with alert notifications and reporting capabilities.