Department of Energy Warns Consumers of Scams Targeting New Hampshire Utility Customers

Concord, NH - Two new scams are targeting utility customers in New Hampshire. A number of New Hampshire consumers have contacted the Department of Energy to report being contacted by individuals posing as employees of the Public Utilities Commission. Consumers are asked to verify personal financial information, such as bank account numbers, which the caller claims to already have. The individuals making these calls are not from the Public Utilities Commission or from the NH Department of Energy.

“Neither the Public Utilities Commission nor the Department of Energy would contact consumers to obtain bank account information,” stated Amanda Noonan, the Department’s Consumer Services Director. Noonan further urged consumers to contact the NH Attorney General’s Office, their local police department, and their bank if they feel their personal financial information has been compromised. 

The Department of Energy has also received reports of individuals posing as utility workers who tell customers they are doing a service upgrade or removing lines that are no longer in use. Those individuals climb poles and remove utility lines, and customers later discover that phone and internet services are no longer working. “Any utility doing work in your area will have a marked vehicle and can provide company identification,” said Noonan “and customers can always contact their utility company to confirm that the work is legitimate.” The Department urges customers to report any suspicious activity to the local police department immediately. 

Consumers can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at:

1-888-468-4454 or (603) 271-3641
Weekdays 9am to 3pm
DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov