Phising scam targeting B.C. Hydro customers

Police are warning the public of a new scam targeting B.C. Hydro customers.

B.C. RCMP said the phishing scam involves advertisements posing as the utility provider to trick people on a customer support line to “set up new electricity services or reconnect B.C. Hydro service.”

The ads use B.C. Hydro’s name but a fake website link and the wrong phone number.

When people call the provided number they are connected with a scammer, who asks the caller a similar set of questions used in its own contact centre to verify customer identity, and therefore are able to steal the caller’s information.

B.C. RCMP said it and the utility provider had received “over a hundred reports” of the scam already, and that an investigation into the scam was underway, in cooperation with B.C. Hydro, adding work was also ongoing to have the illegitimate ads removed from search engines.

The public is asked to report instances of the scam to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

It was also recommended that people know that B.C. Hydro will not collect credit card or bank account information over the phone, by email, or by text; that B.C. Hydro sends notices by mail and uses an auto dialer to contact customers who’s account are in arrears; and that B.C. Hydro’s customer service number is 1-800-BCHYDRO (224-9376) and that any other numbers claiming to be customer service are incorrect.