National Grid is warning customers about a scam that appears to be targeting business owners.
Scammers are calling customers, threatening to shut off service unless they are paid immediately.
"They've become increasingly sophisticated and are using spoofing technology that will make it look like the call is coming from an 800 number," said Steve Brady of National Grid.
Jeanne Rullo, a Buffalo business owner said it happened to her Tuesday morning. "They said I owed an enormous amount of money." Luckily, she didn't fall for it.
Rullo said the scammers told her she was late on her payments and told her to go to a nearby pharmacy to wire $1900 to them.
Brady says that is a red flag.
"When we do have to call a customer, we never specify the type of payment that the customer makes. We leave that to the customer," said Brady.
The phony number that called Rullo is 1-888-840-9880.
7 Eyewitness News called the number and heard a recording very similar to the real National Grid. The company's number is 1-800-NIAGARA
