Manitoba Hydro says that aggressive scammers are targeting customers across the province with threats of disconnection unless they make an immediate payment.
Hydro says that the scammers phone or email claiming that the customer has an outstanding bill and demand payment of up to $1,500 within 30 minutes or their electrical service will be cut off.
The fact is that Manitoba Hydro is not disconnecting any customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re all under a lot of stress and these scammers are trying to take advantage of that,” said Chris McColm, Manitoba Hydro’s Security and Investigations Supervisor . “These scammers are extremely convincing. With so many people at home, they’re preying on our anxiety and hope we let our guard down.”
The scammers are preying on people and trying to take advantage of the stresses people are feeling during the pandemic.
Hydro says that they will never phone a customer and demand immediate payment by a prepaid card or money order.
Don’t be fooled, often times scammers will spoof hydro’s numbers to fool you into believing the scam.
If you get this type of call demanding payment or threatening disconnection hang up and call Manitoba Hydro back on their publicly published numbers 204-480-5900 or 1-888-624-9376.
© News4.ca 2020
