From: "City of Cambridge, CDD" <jkahlenberg@cambridgema.gov>Date: February 26, 2020 at 11:32Subject: SCAM Alert: Deceptive Electricity Suppliers Attention residents: SCAM Alert It has come to our attention that many Cambridge residents (and residents in surrounding towns) are receiving phone calls from companies that claim they are Eversource. This is not true. The calls begin with a recorded message stating: “This is an apology call from your utility. You have been overcharged by your third-party provider. You are entitled to a refund and a 20% discount. Please press ‘one’ to get your refund.” Upon pressing “one,” the resident is connected with a live operator who states that he is calling from Eversource, and then attempts to get the customer’s name, address, and utility account number in order to “process the refund.” When residents have questioned whether the call is in fact from Eversource, the caller has insisted, repeatedly, that he is in fact calling from Eversource. Eversource will NEVER knock on your door or call you to discuss your electricity bill. Protect your electricity account number like a credit card. Below is the notification from Eversource: Don't become a victim Scammers are always looking for new ways to deceive our customers. You may be the target of a scammer if you receive suspicious phone calls or text messages using any of the following tactics: Threatening to disconnect your power without immediate payment Demanding immediate payment using a pre-paid debit card, bitcoin or other unusual form of payment Offering you discounted power Asking for information or a copy of your energy bill Even if a phone recording sounds convincing or the phone number appears to belong to Eversource, it’s NOT. Please remember that Eversource representatives never ask for on-the-spot payment in person or over the phone, and always carry company-issued photo identification. If you’re not sure the person contacting you is an Eversource employee, call us at 800-592-2000. You can also always find our phone number on your bill or at Eversource.com. See more ways to protect yourself, and hear a recording of a real call from a scammer. Visit https://my.eversource.com/B000ST1Md00000gD0aYvCZS If you fall victim to a scammer, please report the incident to the Department of Public Utilities - Consumer Division (617- 737-2836) or DPUConsumer.Complaints@state.ma.us. If you need assistance getting out of an electricity contract contact the Cambridge Consumers' Council (617-349-6150) https://www..cambridgema.gov/Services/complaintprocess CambridgeMA.gov/CDD Cambridge Community Development Department | 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 About Constant Contact Sent by jkahlenberg@cambridgema.gov