The Connecticut Better Business Bureau on Tuesday warned consumers of criminal scammers roaming the state posing as utility company employees threatening to cut off service.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the con artists claim they work for the billing department of Connecticut Light & Power, Connecticut Natural Gas, or United Illuminating, asking for payment by prepaid credit card, then transfer the funds to their own cards and disappear.
Consumers report the extorted amounts range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. One of the con artists main tools is fear, threatening to shut off natural gas or electricity in the cold weather.
To guard against scammer, BBB recommends never caving into pressure to pay immediately, only letting utility employees inspect wiring or piping with a scheduled appointment, and asking for proper identification.
