The BC RCMP is warning about a new scam where BC Hydro customers are tricked into providing personal information by calling what turns out to be a fraudulent BC Hydro customer support number.
BC Hydro and the BC RCMP have received more than a hundred reports from around the province from people who saw paid advertisements that supposedly came from BC Hydro, and which urged customers to call their customer support number to set up new electricity services or reconnect BC Hydro service.
While the ads make use of BC Hydro’s name, the URL is not correct, which can be discovered via an online search. When BC Hydro customers call the fake number in the ad, the scammers ask the caller a set of scripted questions which is similar to what BC Hydro uses in its own contact centre to verify customer identity.
The RCMP is actively investigating all reports of this scam, and is asking anyone who has fallen victim to it to report the issue to their local RCMP detachment via their non-emergency phone number or in-person. The RCMP is working with BC Hydro to have these phishing websites removed from search engines, but asks the public to do their due diligence when on the internet to ensure they are on a legitimate website.
To avoid falling victim to scams, BC Hydro wants its customers to know that:
- It does not collect credit card or bank account information over the phone or by email or text.
- If an account is in arrears, BC Hydro will send several notices by mail and use an auto dialler to remind customers to make a payment. Customers can also check their account status at any time at bchydro.com.
- BC Hydro’s customer service number is 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376). If you are contacted by any other number claiming to be BC Hydro, or see something that purports to be from BC Hydro and which gives a different number, be vigilant.
If you find one of these fraudulent BC Hydro websites, do not click on it. Instead, report the website to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre. You can also find tips on dealing with online safety at the BC RCMP website.
