The Lisbon Reporter

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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

CMP Renews Alert to Customers About Utility Payment Scams

AUGUSTA, Maine, February 4, 2014 — Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, reports that customers continue to receive calls from people claiming to represent the utility and demanding immediate payments.

The utility warns customers to verify all information before making such payments. CMP notes that utility customers can be a convenient target for these scammers, because most everyone does business with an energy company and pays utility bills.

Most of the customers are warned of imminent disconnection, instructed to purchase a pre-paid debit card at a local convenience store, and told to call a specific number with the card information. In some cases, customers were told that a recent payment was not received or had been incorrectly processed, and that a new transaction would be required.

The callers have tried to work his deception mostly on restaurants, markets, and other small businesses, but some residential customers have also been targeted.

CMP offers these tips to keep account information secure:

CMP will not call a customer for payment if his or her account is in good standing.
Customers can check their balance at CMP’s website at www.cmpco.com or by calling 1-800-750-4000.
Customers who need to make an urgent payment should do so only through the CMP website, or at one of the payment agents listed on the website at http://www.cmpco.com/YourAccount/payyourbill/paymentoptions/paymentagents.html.
Customers can avoid payment scams entirely and keep current on their CMP bills by enrolling in the utility’s Autopay service, where the amount due is automatically deducted from a bank account each month. More information on this payment option is at http://www.cmpco.com/YourAccount/payyourbill/paymentoptions/autopay.html.
The identity of any CMP employee can be verified by asking for their photo ID card (if in person) or their employee number, then contacting CMP at 1.800.750.4000 to verify their identity and the nature of their business. Our employees are happy to comply with an identity verification request.
CMP does not ask customers to purchase debit cards such as Green Dot MoneyPaks to make payments. Any instruction involving such a payment scheme should be considered a red flag.
Customers who have any questions about a call for an overdue payment are urged to contact CMP by calling 1-800-750-4000.

Additional information on avoiding scams can be found at CMP’s website: http://www.cmpco.com/YourAccount/payyourbill/PaymentScams.html.

Customers who believe they have been scammed should contact their local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/).