BANGOR — Emera Maine is warning customers to be suspicious of individuals claiming to represent the utility, even demanding immediate payment.’
Most recently, a number of small businesses have been targeted in Downeast Maine.
Often scams will demand immediate payment or threaten disconnection with little notice; require payment be made by a prepaid debit card or other non-refundable form of payment; appear to be calling from an Emera Maine number on caller ID; and feature an answering service message that is identical to the recording heard when calling the Emera Maine Customer Contact Center.
“Emera Maine customers will never receive a call from a representative demanding immediate payment with the threat of disconnection,” said Karen Holyoke, vice president of customer experience. “Customers facing disconnection are notified by mail, may receive a notification by automated or personal call, and are encouraged to contact us to work out an arrangement. We make every effort to work with our customers and disconnection is a last resort.”
Anyone who may have fallen victim to a scam is encouraged to report the scam to both their local law enforcement agency as well as the state attorney general’s office at 1 (800) 436-2131.
