CAMDEN, Maine — The public, and businesses in particular, are being warned about a scam that has cost one local businessman $1,500.
Camden Police Chief Randy Gagne said the department has received several complaints during the past few days of Camden businesses receiving calls from someone identifying themselves as a representative of Central Maine Power. The caller advises the person that the utility customer is delinquent in payments and the electrical power will be turned off within 30 minutes if payment is not received immediately.
The chief said two businesses figured out the scam but one person paid more than $1,500.
“We are asking that anyone receiving this type of call hang up and notify the police department,” Gagne said in a press release. “CMP does not call asking people to go and purchase a prepaid credit card for payments on their accounts. Anyone calling requesting funds of any type involving prepaid cards or money wire transactions are scammers. We request anyone receiving this type of call to contact their local law enforcement agency prior to making any financial arrangement, payment etc. via telephone or Internet.”
Central Maine Power also issued a news release two days ago about an increase in such calls.
“Scammers have renewed their efforts to get our customers to part with their hard-earned money,” said CMP spokesperson Gail Rice. “Customers should be wary of calls threatening immediate disconnection, and should instead call CMP if they have any questions about their account status.”
Scammers have typically called business customers — often restaurants and markets just prior to their lunch or dinner rush periods — but they’ve also targeted residential customers, Rice said. Some customers reported receiving multiple calls in the same day.
Rice added that some scammers have become increasingly creative in their efforts.
“Many of them use devices that spoof caller ID systems so the call looks like it’s coming from CMP,” she said. “Some of them even try to sweeten the deal with an offer of discounted service for the rest of the year. Fortunately, customers have taken notice of our prior warnings and know these calls are all scams.”