Business & Tech

Scam Alert: Asked to Purchase a 'Green Dot Visa Card?' Don't Buy It!

Berlin businesses are the target of telemarketers instructing them to make a utility payment by purchasing the cards, but the effort is a scam, CL&P officials and police said.

Berlin businesses beware, there’s a new utility payment scam and these “telemarketers” are targeting central Connecticut companies.

Connecticut Light and Power and local police are working together to help warn consumers about a new Green Dot VISA scam. Scammers are contacting businesses by phone, telling them that they have a utility payment due and requesting they make payment using a prepaid card.

“This is not legitimate,” said Mitch Gross, spokesman with CL&P. “The company does not ask customers to purchase prepaid cards. We see issues like this pop up across Connecticut all the time, unfortunately.”

Scammers have long been a challenge for local businesses, looking for ways to target the unsuspecting. While there have been no reported cases of local residents or business owners that have fallen victim, police said everyone should remain on alert.

The scam effort has also been seen in surrounding towns including Southington, New Britain and Meriden, officials said.

If you come across this type of scam, police are asking that you report it as promptly as possible. Gross is also asking residents and business owners to share their experience with friends and families to help put an end to the scam.

Gross said if anyone calls on behalf of CL&P, business owners and residents may call (800) 286-2000 to verify the information.

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