National Grid Warns Customers of Utility Scam Risks

UTICA, N.Y. — National Grid is warning customers to watch out for scammers pretending to be company representatives and demanding immediate payment or threatening to shut off service.

According to National Grid, the utility company has received reports from both residential and business customers about an increase in scam attempts.

The company said that scammers may threaten to shut off service without notice, ask for payment even if your account is current, or request personal and financial information.

National Grid said that it will never demand immediate payment by wire transfer, Green Dot Money-Pak, or other pre-paid card services.

If someone comes to your door claiming to be from National Grid, always ask for photo identification.

All employees and contractors are required to carry company ID cards.

If a caller claims to be from National Grid, do not share your account number or personal information.

Instead, ask the caller to provide your account number. If they cannot, hang up and call National Grid or local law enforcement.

The company also warns about email and text scams.

“Service appointment notifications, meter inspections, and similar notifications will come from 59528. Outage alerts will come from 64743 (NGRID). Payment or collection reminders will come from 647432 (NGRIDC),” the utility company stated in a release. 

National Grid urges customers to report fraud and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission and offers more information here.

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