National Grid customers in Upstate New York should be extremely wary of utility bill scammers demanding immediate payment for electric bill balances, which customers might not even owe, based on a recent surge in reports of scam efforts. The fraudulent callers are claiming to represent National Grid and threatening customers with immediate service shut-off unless they provide credit card or bank account numbers. The calls are originating from various area code phone numbers. When the numbers are dialed back, the persons answering identify themselves as representing National Grid.

There have been numerous reports of these types of scams in several other states over the past year. National Grid continues to advise all utility customers to be wary of callers who threaten service termination unless an immediate payment is made.

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 threatening service termination and demanding immediate payment and asked for bank account information should either hang up on those calls, or not return the call, and instead contact National Grid immediately. To verify information and for any billing-related questions in Upstate New York, customers should call National Grid’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-642-4272.

In addition, customers who think they are being contacted by scammers should contact their local law enforcement with as much information about the calls as possible.

About

National Grid

National Grid 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.”