Think it's your utility company calling? Think again.

A new scam is bombarding some local police departments. Victims receive calls that look like they’re from your utility company but are actually from criminals.

Local police tell Boston 25 News, it’s the latest scam targeting victims in our area, and it’s costing some people hundreds of dollars.

Realtor Betsy Conlon told Boston 25 News she received a call from a number that appeared to be Eversource, asking about a client’s Framingham home.

"I have Eversource in my phone. I answered it, trusting that Eversource is calling. They told me they need to get in to disconnect wires. They kept pushing it. I got off the phone, and it didn’t feel right.” said Conlon.

She called Framingham Police and found out she wasn’t alone. The department has received at least five dozen calls in the last year or so.

"Scammers are just preying on people being nervous and confused,” said Framingham Police Chief Steve Trask.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS

Police tell Boston 25 News the scammers manipulate caller ID to show a utility’s trusted phone number, and make the call urgent.  They allegedly tell victims their power or heat will be turned off if they don’t pay immediately, and tell victims to go to a local store, and purchase Google Play cards. Victims are told to read the number on the back right away, and their money is gone within seconds.

"That’s all they need, and that money is transferred to that scam,” said Chief Trask.

"They are relentless, they are very smart. The elderly and low-income customers seem to be the biggest targets,” said Eversource spokesperson Reid Lamberty told Boston 25 News.

Lamberty says, the call center in Westwood fields a lot of calls from concerned customers and the average utility scam is $500.

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

Eversource says it’s important to know the scam warning signs.

“We never call you or show up at your door demanding cash or looking to change your energy supply. We don’t ask you to use prepaid debit cards. Those are red flags.”

The company says you should always contact the company yourself to make sure any call is legit.

It’s advice Betsy Conlon shares with her clients now.

"Go with your gut instinct, and if it doesn’t feel right, then keep the information to yourself and don’t share it with anybody,” Conlon said.

Cox Media Group