Scam Alert
Learn how to protect yourself.
Recently, we have seen an increased volume of reported scam attempts concerning both residential and business customers. When contacted by a person claiming to represent Rhode Island Energy, we encourage customers to always verify their identity to protect yourself against scams.
Suspect a scam if:
- You are threatened with immediate service termination (this is NOT our procedure).
- The caller seeks payment when your account is current.
- The caller demands immediate payment by wire transfer or prepaid card (we don’t accept payment through these cards).
- The caller is someone you cannot identify.
- The caller can’t provide the last five digits of your Rhode Island Energy account number when asked. A Rhode Island Energy representative will know it.
Scam Awareness and Preparedness FAQs
Rhode Island Energy may ask for a payment over the phone, but will leave the method of payment to the customer. Rhode Island Energy will not contact customers demanding immediate payment by wire transfer, Green Dot Money-Pak or any other pre-paid card service. Never -- under any circumstances -- offer personal or financial information to someone who you cannot identify.
If you are dealing with someone over the phone, please note that Rhode Island Energy representatives will know your account number; never offer that information to a caller. Ask the caller to provide the last five digits of your Rhode Island Energy account number. If the caller doesn’t know your account number and you have any doubt the caller is a Rhode Island Energy representative, or if they have any questions about account balance and fish for help, take charge and hang up immediately. Call Rhode Island Energy or local law enforcement officials.
If you are dealing with someone in person, please note that every Rhode Island Energy employee carries a photo ID card, and any contractor doing work for the company is also required to carry ID. If someone requesting entry into your home or place of business does not show an ID card, don’t let that person in and call your local law enforcement.
Rhode Island Energy has been alerted of scammers that will contact customers via phone or in person and claim to be from Rhode Island Energy . Although tactics may vary, many scam reports include someone claiming to be from Rhode Island Energy and will inform the customer that they have a past due balance on their utility bill. Scammers will demand payment, make threats to turn off power, and try to rush customers into making an immediate payment. Similar scams have been reported by utility customers across the U.S.
Scammers may also contact customers via email and attempt to lure recipients into clicking on a link, visiting a malicious website, revealing account information, or calling a phone number. Learn more about protecting yourself from email scams here.
Along with this, we continue to receive several reports of phone scams, including robocalls offering 25% off future bills. These calls are not officially from Rhode Island Energy and are used as a way for scammers to obtain account information.
If you’re concerned about the status of your account, please contact Rhode Island Energy. If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, call your local law enforcements officials and the Attorney General’s office immediately.
To learn more about how to protect yourself from scammers, please visit the Utilities United Against Scams web page.
If you’re concerned about the status of your account, please call one of the Rhode Island Energy customer service numbers listed below. If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, call your local law enforcements officials and the Attorney General’s office immediately.
- Electric: 1-855-RIE-1101
- Gas: 800-870-1664