BC RCMP is warning of a new phishing scam that targets BC Hydro customers.
The scam tricks people into calling a fraudulent BC Hydro customer support number and providing personal information in order to ‘verify identity.’
According to police, they’ve received over a hundred reports throughout the province detailing a number of paid advertisements posing as BC Hydro. These ads are urging customers to call their customer support number to set up new electricity services or reconnect their BC Hydro service.
When customers call the fake number, the scammers then ask the caller a similar set of identity verification questions.
The ads appear convincing and are under BC Hydro’s name, but the website address isn’t correct. These false sites are often found online via search engines too, and RCMP urge everyone using the internet to check and ensure they’re on a legitimate website.
RCMP have confirmed the investigation is ongoing and request that the public report any issues or experience with this scam to local police.
BC Hydro is working with the RCMP to have these phishing websites removed from search engines.
In the meantime, they ask you to pay attention to the following:
- BC Hydro doesn’t collect credit card or bank account information over the phone, by email or text.
- BC Hydro will send several notices by mail and use an auto dialer to remind customers to make a payment. Customers can also check their account at bchydro.com.
- BC Hydro’s customer service number is 1-800-BCHYDRO
If anyone comes across these websites, don’t click on them but report the website to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre. Additionally, BC RCMP has tips on how to approach online safety.
