MANCHESTER, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) As holiday shopping ramps up and households see more deliveries, Eversource is sounding the alarm about a seasonal rise in utility-related scams. The company says it continues to receive reports of customers being targeted by callers, email senders and even doorstep visitors posing as utility workers in an effort to steal money or personal information.

The warning coincides with Utilities United Against Scams Day, observed nationwide on Wednesday. Eversource officials say scammers are becoming more polished in their approach — sometimes using detailed account information, spoofed phone numbers or multiple people on the line impersonating different companies to make their pitch seem legitimate.

One of the clearest signs something is amiss, the company emphasized, is any demand for payment via gift card, prepaid debit card or cryptocurrency. Eversource says it never accepts payment through those methods and never asks a customer to purchase gift cards to settle an account.

The utility is also urging residents to watch for misleading sales pitches from third-party energy suppliers. Door-to-door marketers have been known to use aggressive or deceptive tactics, according to Eversource. The company recommends reviewing supplier options through the New Hampshire Department of Energy rather than relying on uninvited salespeople.

With scam attempts typically increasing as year-end approaches, Eversource provided a list of reminders for customers:

  • Representatives will not request payment through gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or Bitcoin.

  • Customers scheduled for disconnection receive multiple written notices — not sudden demands by phone.

  • Utility employees carry photo IDs, wear branded clothing and drive vehicles with company logos.

  • The company does not solicit on behalf of third-party suppliers.

  • Residents should avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or texts and should not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or visitors.

  • To verify an account, customers should call the number printed on their bill rather than searching online, where fraudulent listings sometimes appear.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call or visit is encouraged to hang up or shut the door and contact Eversource directly to confirm their account status.

More safety tips are available through Utilities United Against Scams, a national coalition focused on helping customers identify and avoid fraudulent activity.