Eversource, Nashua Police offer tips to avoid becoming a victim of scams

MANCHESTER, N.H. (January 14, 2025) – With the holiday season in the rearview mirror and a new year underway, scammers are still hard at work focusing on new victims. Imposters often take advantage of this busy time of year, posing as Eversource representatives and threatening to disconnect customers’ power unless they make an immediate payment on the spot. The energy company is reminding residents and businesses to be on the lookout for common signs of scams, whether it’s in person, over the phone, or online.

“Many scammers are successful because they use scare tactics and threats, demanding customers act quickly or face serious consequences if they don’t give money or personal information,” said Eversource Senior Vice President for Customer Operations and Digital Strategy Jared Lawrence. “These imposters take advantage of the panic someone might feel after hearing, with little warning, that their power will be shut off in the middle of winter. We want customers to remember that we will never demand instant payment over the phone, require gift cards or other non-standard methods of payment, or request personal information in an unsolicited call, text message, or email. If you ever question that the person you’re speaking with isn’t who they say they are, hang up right away, and give us a call at 800-662-7764.”

Police departments around the state regularly receive reports of imposter scams. “Scammers employ many tactics, including posing as representatives of trusted organizations like utility companies, to target people and businesses in an attempt to obtain personal information or payments,” said Chief Kevin Rourke of the Nashua Police Department. “If you receive an unsolicited call or message from someone claiming to represent Eversource or another company, hang up immediately and verify the request by reaching out to the company through their official channels. Additionally, please report these incidents to your local police department, which can help raise awareness and protect others from these fraudulent activities.”

Eversource and Nashua Police also offer these additional tips to help avoid becoming a victim:

• 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.
• 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. You can find contact information, including the website, on your Eversource bill.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1 U.S. utility on TIME’s List of World’s Best Companies for 2024. Eversource is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving nearly 535,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 10,300 homes and businesses in eight communities. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the #1 contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Eversource harnesses the commitment of more than 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.

CONTACT:
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
william.hinkle@eversource.com