February 21, 2007

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  NEWS: Conn. Power Co. Warns of Scam

  United Illuminating, a power company based out of New Haven, Conneticut, issued a statement yesterday warning customers of a scam attempt already affecting customers. The scam they described is a permutation of the phone/credit card ploy, in which callers pose as someone else to get credit card information – in this case, as United Illuminating employees warning that the customer's power is about to be shut off immediately, unless they provide their credit card number.

  
  Per the news statement, the company began receiving calls on Monday from suspicious consumers, who were hit with the calls on Sunday. As United Illuminating's offices are not only closed for business on Sundays, but do not accept credit card payments, it was immediately obvious that a scam was in progress.

  
  United Illuminating closed the statement with the advice to customers that disconnection of anyone's electricity is a lengthy process that involves multiple written warnings and phone calls. Anyone insisting otherwise, they stated, is not affiliated with the company and should not be heeded.
  
  
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