On September 9, 2020

Vermont utilities warn customers of phone scam

Vermont utilities are warning customers of a phone scam. In a sudden surge of calls, the scammers claim to be from a Vermont utility, including Green Mountain Power (GMP), Burlington Electric Department (BED), Vermont Gas, (VGS), Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA), and Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC), and then demand immediate payment and threaten to cut off power.

Local utilities would never treat its customers in this manner. If you receive such a call, just hang up – it is a scam.

In an effort to inform others about the fake calls, customers started alerting their utilities just before noontime that scam callers were busy working the phones on Sept. 2. Dozens of customers have reported the scam calls so far.

If customers receive calls like this, they should hang up.  Other recommendations include:

Do not provide payment or personal information;

Do not engage with the caller;

Do not call back that number; instead call customer service to report the scam and any details, including the number the call came from, the caller’s name, and what the caller said.

Customers also are encouraged to report this scam to the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at 800-649-2424 (in state) or 802-656-3183 or online at ago.vermont.gov/cap/.

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