Feds Won’t Pay For Your Power
National Grid is warning customers in Queens and Brooklyn about a nationwide utility bill scam that claims the federal government will pay local customers’ utility bills through a new program.
No such program exists, and customers who may be solicited should notify local law enforcement officials to investigate.
According to a press release from the utility company, customers have received solicitation through phone calls, door-to-door and online asking them for their Social Security number and bank routing numbers. Then customers are given fake account numbers to pay their bills.
These are fraudulent account numbers and are not accepted by National Grid to pay customer bills.
National Grid reminds its customers that to ensure confidence and security during service calls at homes and businesses, all National Grid em- ployees are required to carry company photo identification. Most, but not all National Grid employees also travel in clearly marked National Grid vehicles when providing service to residences and businesses.
The company also reminds customers to always ask to see the National Grid company ID badge of anyone who says they are from National Grid.
If a resident is in doubt as to whether an individual is a National Grid employee, tell the person to wait outside and call the National Grid customer service number to confirm. Customers in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island can call 1-718-643- 4050. Residents who see someone attempting to fraudulently pass themselves off as National Grid employees are urged to call 911.
