NASHVILLE, Tenn. – NES wants to alert customers of new illegal activity by utility scam artists. Scammers are calling customers and threatening to disconnect power if they don’t make a payment for meter replacement services.
Customers have reported receiving calls from scammers claiming that NES has changed their meter and the customer must pay for that service or their power will be disconnected. One customer even reported that a scammer demanded $500, and scammers are also claiming that customers must pay over the phone because the NES service lobby is closed due to COVID, which is false.
NES does not charge customers to replace a defective meter. However, charges could be applied if the meter is damaged, but those charges are added to the next month’s bill.
NES would like to offer the following tips to continue helping customers protect themselves:
- NES does not make calls from a “Disconnection Department”
- NES never makes calls 30 minutes before disconnecting a customer’s power.
- If someone calls threatening to cut off your power if you don’t pay, hang up. This is a scam.
- NES does not provide a toll-free number to call for making a payment.
- If you have doubts about a phone call, email, text or on-site visit, reach out to NES at 615-736-6900 before taking any action.
- Never give personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller.
- If you think you are a victim of a scam, contact the local police.
Customers can contact NES Customer Relations at 615-736-6900 for assistance. For in-person service, customers may visit the NES lobby at 1214 Church Street, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
About NES
Nashville Electric Service (NES) is the 12th largest public electric utility in the nation, distributing energy to more than 418,000 customers in Middle Tennessee. For more information, visit nespower.com or nespowernews.com.
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