NEW YORK — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are warning customers about the rise in sophisticated scams. Scammers are using aggressive methods to get customers to give up personal information.  

“Our customers’ security matters; we take it seriously,” said NYSEG and RG&E CEO Patricia Nilsen. “We're dedicated to our customers' well-being, and we’ve put protective measures in place to guard our customers' personal information.”

Scammers often pose as utility representatives to deceive customers into divulging personal information. They may visit homes or businesses or communicate with customers using a technique known as phishing, which is when fraudsters send emails aiming to obtain sensitive information. Fraudsters use phone calls, or vishing, spoofing a legitimate phone number, making it appear like the call is coming from a trusted business. Scammers may send text messages or smishing to obtain personal information.

Customers are encouraged to remain vigilant against tactics such as disconnection threats, meter payment scams, overpayment scams, and door-to-door impostors.

We will never:

• Ask you to email us any personal information, such as payment/financial details or your address.
• Send you programs to install on your computer.
• Terminate a customer’s service without providing notice for non-payment. 
• Perform shut-offs during hours when our Customer Contact Center is closed.
• Go door-to-door asking to see customer bills.

The Companies may contact customers by phone, email, or text to inform them about services, alerts set up, or activities in the area, while respecting privacy and complying with data protection laws.

Customers are encouraged to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.  NYSEG and RG&E representatives and contractors always carry company-issued photo identification and will always provide it when asked. Make payments using official payment channels. The Companies will never demand payment from prepaid cards or Green Dot cards.

If customers are uncertain of the identity of the caller or a visitor at your door, contact the customer service team immediately. NYSEG: call 800.572.1111; RG&E: call 800.743.2110.