POUGHKEEPSIE – Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation has been alerted to a new approach to a billing scam: Perpetrators have recorded the utility’s automated message to deceive customers into believing they have called Central Hudson.
“These criminals call customers and falsely indicate that a balance is due, saying utility services will be disconnected unless payment is made immediately,” said Charles Freni, Senior Vice President of Customer Services. “Customers returning these calls using the autodial feature on their telephones or by calling the provided phone number are connected to the perpetrators, and will hear a recording of Central Hudson’s automated message. Pressing an option key connects the caller to a customer service impersonator, who then demands payment,” he said.
“Customers are warned not to provide these impersonators with any personal information, including their utility account number, credit card, social security or bank routing numbers, and are urged to contact Central Hudson by dialing our telephone number directly,” said Freni. “Anyone receiving these calls should check with Central Hudson first by dialing (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, rather than the number provided by the perpetrators,” he said. Customer should also report these incidents to their local police department.
