This is national grid. It is the same number that called me in the past when my bill was overdue. That wasn't a scam; my bill really was overdue. But I still didn't pay it by phone, I simply paid it electronically the way I pay all my bills, once I had the money to do so.
Currently, they are calling to schedule replacing my meter free of charge. This is because Mass state law requires the replacement every 7 years, even if the meter is fully functional. I converted from oil to gas seven years ago. Scam? No, not in my case.
But I'm glad so many others are suspicious in general. That is a healthy skepticism. For me, it checks out in this case.
Yup National Grid, calling from 718-403-6900
Requesting to call back at 718-403-1176
About the payment I made using their web site.
(I usually called-in to pay by voice, via my checking account)
The web site didn't post my payment yet, so they called to confirm I paid, (I did, in Feb)
The Rep said the site is having problems posting the payments correctly, and he said to pay the next payments by phone again, until they find what's wrong on the web site.
Pretty sure it's a scam. Just had the same problem - a call from 718-403-6900, always a woman who leaves that message to call Mr. Flynn.
I never picked up until today, and she's left messages for several months. She was in a busy call center where I could hear a lot of people in the background. They said they wanted to replace my gas meter. I rent, like someone else who already posted on here, so I was abrasive and put up the same question about deferring to my rent management. She gave me a time window for tomorrow from 12-6 (wow it's never that fast in real life). I was still skeptical so she gave me another number - 18009228201 - to call because I was skeptical, though I asked her for one in order to cancel the appt. She said she was Elizabeth when I asked her name. She knew she wasn't quite hooking this fish and wanted to get me off the phone.
I called the SAME number back. I had to wait a few minutes. Some guy finally answered. When I asked about any scams they have going on, he said they didn't have any scams. Then asked if I was in NY, and I told him no, in MA. Then he asked me to describe the call I got, which I did, and then he said 'Oh yeah they just need to replace your meter. They need to do that once every 5-7 years. It's required by law and is no cost to you.' He was able to see when they had called me before and named one of the dates. I asked if it was possible to see when the last time it was changed. He said March 2007, when I wasn't living here.
The whole thing is BS. That guy probably works in the cubicle next to hers. I think he pulled that date out a hat. Just like how 'Elizabeth' pulled that window frame out of a hat. It's so over the top phony!
All, I think this is part of the scam that A.G. Martha Coakley is going after. What I heard is that the collection attempts are being made and, they are asking for payment over the phone via CC or debit card. National Grid has stated flat out that they do not collect this way for (our) privacy reasons. If you have any questions whatsoever, call National Grid directly at the number listed on your bill. I do not have a home phone, only a cell. It is registered with the National Do Not Call List.
Someone sold a cell phone data base with my number on it. I can think of only 2; Verizon Wireless & Google. When I find them, they are going to pay!