National Grid Reminds Customers of Service Call Safety Precautions

WALTHAM, MA (07/28/2011)(readMedia)-- National Grid is reminding customers that to ensure confidence and security during service calls, all National Grid employees are required to carry company photo identification. Most, but not all, National Grid employees also travel in clearly marked National Grid vehicles when providing service to residences and businesses.

Yesterday, the company received reports that individuals posing as National Grid employees were able to gain entry to and rob a Cumberland, RI customer's home by diverting the customer's attention. National Grid is working closely with the Cumberland police to investigate the incident and has alerted all area police departments about the incident. Similar incidents were reported earlier this month in several Massachusetts communities. Those investigations are continuing.

Customers should always ask to see the National Grid company ID badge of anyone who says they are from National Grid – especially if the customer did not initiate a service call.

If you are in any doubt as to whether an individual is a National Grid employee, tell the person to wait outside and then call National Grid to confirm identification. National Grid electric customers throughout New England should call 1-800-322-3223. National Grid gas customers should call according to geographic area:

• In Rhode Island, gas customers should call 800-870-1664 to confirm identification
• In the Greater Boston Area, gas customers should call 1-800-233-5325
• For all other areas of Massachusetts, gas customers should call 1-800-548-8000.

It's important to note that in Massachusetts electricity customers can choose to purchase their energy supply at competitive prices from a variety of suppliers known as Competitive Suppliers or Energy Suppliers. Some suppliers may contact customers through door-to-door marketing. Supplier representatives participating in door-to-door sales activities must not claim to represent National Grid or any other utility.

National Grid does not conduct sales door-to-door, and will never ask for customer account numbers at the home. In addition, third-party supplier representatives must display proper photo ID with their own company logo visible. Do not provide your utility account number or a copy of your utility bill to a supplier representative unless you are interested in and ready to receive an offer. For a complete list of suppliers, visit www.nationalgridus.com.

National Grid is an international energy-delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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