BANGOR and PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — As shoppers and small-business owners carefully plan their budgets and enjoy time with their loved ones this holiday season, Emera Maine wants to ensure no one unwillingly pays for a scammers’ gifts.
In recent days, Emera Maine customers have been targeted by scammers claiming to be representing the utility. Often these calls demand immediate payment, threaten immediate disconnection, require payment be made by a prepaid debit card or other non-refundable form of payment, and appear as Emera Maine on Caller ID.
Utility officials said via a press release that small-business customers in both Madawaska and Machias reported being targeted by scammers. They stressed that customers will never receive a call from an Emera Maine representative demanding immediate payment with the threat of disconnection. The company will also never require payment by a prepaid debit card. If a customer is facing disconnection they are notified by mail, may receive a notification by automated or personal call, and are encouraged to contact Emera to work out an arrangement. Disconnection is a last resort.
To safeguard against scams, keep the following things in mind if you receive a call that is unexpected or sounds suspicious:
Never give out credit card or other payment information over the phone unless you’ve initiated the call.
End suspicious calls and contact the Customer Contact Center at (207) 973-2000 or 1-855-EMERA-11 to ensure you are speaking with an Emera Maine representative.
If you are contacted by an Emera Maine representative, they will ask for the primary account holder by name and will know your account and billing information.
For information about your account, contact the customer center. Anyone who has paid the fraudulent caller should report the scam to local law enforcement as well as the Maine Attorney General’s office at 1-800-436-2131.
This information is also available at http://emeramaine.com/my-account/beware-of-scams/.
