Hingham Resident Falls Victim To Utility Phone Scam: Police

HINGHAM, MA — A resident lost nearly $1,000 after falling victim to a utility phone scam earlier this month, said the Hingham Police Department in a news release.

The resident, age 52, received a call from a person claiming to be from Eversource and saying the resident needed to pay their full electric bill immediately or their electricity would be turned off that day, said police. Although the resident knew their bill was approximately $450, the caller insisted the amount due was $996, and the resident transferred the money from their bank using Zelle.

Once the resident learned it was a scam, the phone number the scammer gave was no longer in service, said police.

"This is a reoccurring scam that has frequently targeted business, especially restaurants, here in Hingham and across the country," said the news release. "The scammers typically tell the resident or business owner that electricity (or gas) would be turned off unless payment is sent immediately."

Police said they encourage residents to call their utility company back on a phone number listed online or printed on a bill and never use the number a scammer calls from or provides.