Message left: something along the lines of: "Hello, this is Mrs. Peterson -- I've been trying to reach you about supply charges on your RGE electric bill ...". "Mrs. Peterson" then provided what appears to be a phone # local to our area, greater Rochester NY: 585 285-4403, before giving a Reference #, comprised of 1 alpha character, followed by 4 numerics.
With *our* Caller ID blocked, I called (585) 285-4403. There was some recorded message such as: "Your call is very important to us -- please stay on the line, & your call will be taken by the next available operator".
At some point during the wait, there was some light classical music playing at very low volume, but then there was a quick caveat: "This call may be recorded", *immediately* followed by someone coming on the line. She sounded as though she might be 20-something, & spoke in a clear & pleasant voice as she said something like: "Hello, my name is Tanis [or Tania, or some-such], do you have a Reference #?" I deepened my voice & said "NO". There was an ever-so-brief pause before she then said something such as, "With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
I believe I responded with something very like: "I'm not going to tell you, but I *am* going to tell RG&E about these calls, & I may *also* report them to the NY State Attorney General". I terminated the call, & called RG&E (Rochester Gas & Electric) Customer Service, & (after identifying our account) I recounted the calls. The RG&E Rep. said that recently a lot of their customers had received calls from "Mrs. Peterson".
If you get a similar call, & *if* you return the call: (1) do so with your Caller ID blocked, & (2) make sure that you *don't* reflexively say "Yes", when asked if you have a Reference #.
Suggestion: Whether you return the call or not, contact your electric or power utility & tell them that you would like a "Retail Access Block" on your account, so that you can't unknowingly be switched over to an "electricity retailer".
An "electricity retailer" might possibly quote you *apparently* cheaper rates, but they will be transmitting & distributing that so-called cheaper electricity using the existing infra-structure that your community's electric or power utility developed, maintains, & supports, & so you will pay the transmission & distribution costs incurred when using that infra-structure, + auxiliary maintenance & support costs (including even the statement preparation), that the electric/power utility has historically incurred, & still incurs, in delivering electricity.
Got a call from this number. NASTY WOMAN. First off she asked for Mr. or Mrs. and used my maiden name. Clear sign that it is a telemarketer as all of my utility companies have my married name on them. When I asked what this was in reference to, she said it was in reference to my National Grid (utility) bill. When I politely informed her that I was on the Do Not Call Registry and should not be getting bothered by telemarketers, she got very snotty with me and proceeded to ask me if I had read my National Grid bill recently. Of course I have but since I knew she was a spammer, I asked her "Are you from National Grid?" To which she got all huffy and asked me again if I had read my bill. I said to her "It's a simple yes or no question, you're either with National Grid or you're not." She replied in a nasty tone "Maybe you should read your National Grid Bill and then you would know what I was talking about and then I could take you off my list." These people are spammers trying to sell you utilities from their company. Unless they specifically identify themselves as being from your utility company, and go through the company's customer validation steps, do not even waste your breath talking to them, unless you're like me and like to give them a hard time. I figure if they called to bother me, why not bother them back.
Woman did not identify herself. Talk me she was calling about lowering my National Grid bill. I told the woman it was a scam since she did not identify the company she was with. I told her to take my number out of the system. I did call back and press 2 to be put in their do not call file.