There have been an increase in reports of utility bill scams in New York State, and National Grid wants to eliminate, or at least minimize, the likelihood of a scam happening to you.
Utica Police say they've received several calls regarding scammers who say they're with National Grid and threaten to turn off your power unless you pay up.
Police say complicating matters is that the scammers are able to disguise their actual phone number and calling location, so many of these fraudulent phone calls will appear with a 315 area code on your called ID...
Oneida County authorities are looking into reports of a loud "boom or explosion" heard throughout the western portion of the county, according to Sheriff Rob Maciol.
Thousands of National Grid customers in Central New York are without power after strong thunderstorms made their way through the area, downing tree and power lines.
Hundreds are without power this morning following severe weather overnight. Oneida and Herkimer Counties are currently under a state of emergency and unnecessary travel is not recommended.