POUGHKEEPSIE – The investigation continues into who hacked into Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation’s computer system last week putting some 100,000 customers’ personal information at risk.

The company has no proof that any data were transferred, but to be on the safe side, it will offer free credit-monitoring services for potentially impacted customers.

Utility President James Laurito said that as a precautionary measure, potentially impacted customers should monitor their credit reports and bank accounts in order to detect any unauthorized activity. If any is detected, it should be reported to their local bank and law enforcement agency.

Central Hudson, law enforcement and cyber-security experts continue to investigate how the system was hacked.

In an unrelated incident, Orange and Rockland Utilities has warned the public about a new phony bill payment scheme in which imposters pose as utility company representatives and call customers, demanding immediate payment for what they fraudulently claim are delinquent electric and gas bills.

There have been no reports of O&R customers being scammed in this scheme.

Unsuspecting utility customers across the nation, most recently at New Jersey’s PSE&G, have been bilked by those bogus claims which insist on payment the day of the contact.

O&R urges anyone who is contacted to break off communication with the crooks and call customer service at 1-877-434-4100.