NYSEG Warns Customers to Watch Out for People Posing as Company Employees

Binghamton, NY, February 5, 2004 – NYSEG is warning its customers to be alert for people posing as company employees.

“We are aware of recent instances of customers being approached at their homes by someone posing as a NYSEG employee. Customers have also been contacted by callers who identify themselves as NYSEG employees or as someone doing business on behalf of NYSEG,” said Sam DeRosa, NYSEG’s manager – corporate security. “In either case, we urge our customers to be cautious.”

DeRosa said NYSEG employees carry a photo identification card that features a prominent NYSEG logo. They also typically travel in company vehicles. “Before you let someone claiming to be a NYSEG employee into your home or business, you should ask to see identification,” he said. “If you’re still not sure, our employees will be glad to wait outside while you contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1111 to inquire about the individual.”

DeRosa also said customers should never give their NYSEG account number to a caller unless they are certain who the caller is and that the information is being used for legitimate purposes by a qualified energy service company (energy supplier) operating in NYSEG’s service area. “NYSEG would never call a customer and ask for a NYSEG account number because we already have that information,” DeRosa said.