KEENE, NH – Green Mountain Power (GMP), a Vermont based power company, is warning customers of a sudden surge of scam calls.

According to Vermont Business Magazine, dozens of customers have reported receiving a phone call threatening to immediately turn off their power unless they make a payment right away.

Liz Hart, Manager of Customer Care for GMP says this is a scam, and customers are urged to hang up.

“…We would never threaten immediate shut off or demand payment over the phone. If someone is claiming to be GMP and demanding payment, just hang up. It is a scam,” Hart said.

Here in New Hampshire, a spokesperson for Eversource said the power company regularly sees an uptick in scammers attempting new approaches, particularly during the winter months and in the new year.

“These scammers will use deceitful tactics to scare people into giving up their money or personal information,” said Eversource Senior Vice President for Customer Operations and Digital Strategy Jared Lawrence. “We want customers to remember that we never demand instant payment over the phone, ask for gift cards or other non-standard methods of payment, or request personal information in an unsolicited call, text message, or email. If you ever doubt who you’re talking to is legitimate, hang up and give us a call at 800-662-7764.”

Both Eversource and GMP advise customers who do receive a suspicious phone call to hang up and call the companies directly to check your account and report the call.