An Old Scam Has Resurfaced in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley residents beware. Apparently, a person, or persons, have been calling Central Hudson customers to "inform" them that unless they pay $500 with a pre-paid, store-bought debit card or money gram their electricity will be shut off.

Central Hudson has issued this statement,

We have received reports of scammers telling Central Hudson customers that a $500 payment – with a pre-paid, store-bought debit card or money gram – is required immediately to prevent having the customer’s electrical service shut off. Sometimes the claim is made that this has to do with vague, unpaid meter charges. This is a scam. Central Hudson never requires payment with a store-bought card or money gram. Pressure tactics and a demand for only those specific payment methods are tell-tale signs of fraud.

Central Hudson employees working on customer property carry photo ID, drive vehicles marked with our logo and are usually in uniform. If you are ever approached by someone claiming to represent Central Hudson, ask to see their photo ID. If you are still unsure if they are a Central Hudson employee, or if you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent Central Hudson and you are unsure about that, call us at 845-452-2700 to confirm their identity. If you are pressured to make a payment exclusively with a store-bought debit card by someone claiming to represent Central Hudson (or other utility services), be very skeptical. If you feel you have been approached by a scammer, alert your local law enforcement agency.

Other reported scams have included calls to homeowners, also indicating that their account is past due and directing them to pay their utility bill through a pay-back money card; emails from impersonators posing as a utility company, requesting utility bill payment and personal information; and calls by perpetrators claiming to be with a national collection agency working on behalf of Central Hudson, attempting to obtain a payment over the phone by credit card.

Remember, before giving out any information, call Central Hudson, or your utility company, first to verify.