New Utility Scam

Homeowners are being scammed with charges for new water and power meters.

Who Is It Targeting: Utility customers

What Is It: Bait and switch imposter scam that charges customers for faulty meters

What Are They After: Reports have circulated from one utility provider who has received multiple customer complaints. Someone calling and claiming to be from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department informs the victim that their power or water meter is faulty and that they must pay a fee to have it repaired or risk having their utilities shut off. Once payment is made over the phone, however, no repairman ever arrives…because the meter wasn’t broken, to begin with.

How Can You Avoid It:

• If you ever receive any communication from a business that claims you owe money or must provide information, hang up immediately.
• Contact that company directly using a trusted contact number in order to get to the bottom of it.
• Report the matter to the company so they can take action as well.

Find more information about current scams and alerts here. For full details of this scam check out this article from HomeNewsHere.com.

If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for toll-free, no-cost assistance at (888) 400-5530.