Customers of Viking Oil will not get deliveries this winter, AG says

Home heating oil customers of Viking Oil in Winthrop should find alternative dealers and probably will not get deliveries they've already paid Viking for, Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly said.

More than 1,000 customers may be affected and could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars, Reilly aides said.

"We believe Viking Oil will not be resuming operations any time in the near future,'' Reilly said in a statement.

People with prepaid heating oil contracts that will likely not be honored can make complaints through his website, www.ago.state.ma.us or by calling 617-727-8400.

A recorded telephone announcement at Viking's office number said it "regretfully has temporarily suspended operations" while working out undisclosed issues with suppliers. Company officials could not be reached for comment last evening.

(By Peter J. Howe, Globe staff)