National Grid warns of fake merger payment calls

Scammers impersonating National Grid employees are calling municipal utility customers in Greater Boston, demanding payment connected to a fictitious merger and threatening to disconnect service.

The calls have been reported in Danvers, Reading, Wilmington, Lynnfield and North Reading, according to Patch, which cited a National Grid spokesperson.

Callers claim customers owe money and must pay immediately. Some disguise their telephone numbers so National Grid’s name appears on caller ID.

National Grid said it does not demand immediate payments through gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or third-party payment apps.

How to check a suspicious call

National Grid’s scam guidance and its spokesperson’s comments to Patch identify several warning signs:

Threats of immediate disconnection without prior written notice.
Requests for personal, financial or account information during an unsolicited call.
Pressure to pay immediately using unusual payment methods.
Callers who cannot verify account details.

The company recommends asking callers to provide the last five digits of the customer’s account number. Customers should not supply those digits themselves. Knowing account information alone does not establish that a caller is legitimate.

If a call seems suspicious, hang up and independently dial the number printed on your utility bill.

Separate sheriff impersonation cases

Earlier this year, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office warned about a different phone scam involving callers posing as deputies.

Between May 14 and June 8, 2026, the office received 28 reports. Four people reported losing a combined $12,500, with individual losses ranging from $500 to $7,000, according to a department release republished by Wilmington Apple.

Those victims were told they had missed jury duty and needed to pay fines to avoid arrest. Three were directed to cryptocurrency machines.

The sheriff’s office said it does not threaten arrest by telephone, text or email or demand payment through cryptocurrency or gift cards. Those cases have not been linked to the utility impersonation calls.