MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 2, 2020 /CNW/ - The busy holiday season is
primetime for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting
victims – especially leading into weekends. In response to
increased fraudulent activity across Ontario, Alectra Utilities, Hydro One, Hydro
Ottawa and Toronto Hydro are
joining forces to increase awareness about ongoing sophisticated
scams targeting utility customers. Residential customers are
reminded that disconnection for non-payment has been suspended from
November 15 to April 30 for all
electricity and gas distributors in the province.
Some common tactics fraudsters use to target Ontarians include
the impersonation of the local utility or its employees; sending
threatening phone calls, texts, and emails; or showing up in-person
at a customer's home or business and requesting personal
information. The requests can include pressure for immediate
payment, threats to disconnect service the same day, and even
demands to purchase prepaid debit cards, gift cards or bitcoin.
The utilities are encouraging customers to protect themselves
and remind them of the following tips to stay safe:
- Never make a payment for a charge that isn't listed on your
most recent bill
- Ignore text messages or emails with suspicious links promising
refunds
- Don't call the number provided to you. Instead, call your
utility directly to check the status of your account
- Do not provide any personal information or details about your
account
- Utility companies will never threaten immediate disconnection
for non-payment
- If you feel threatened in any way, contact your local
police
If you believe you may be a victim of fraud, please contact the
Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 and your local
utility. Customers can find more information at:
- Alectra Utilities
- Hydro One
- Hydro Ottawa
- Toronto Hydro
About Alectra Utilities Corporation
Serving more than one million homes and businesses in
Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe
area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned
electric utility in Canada, based
on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the
economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by
investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and
reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy
solutions.
Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and
the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of
tomorrow's energy future.
About Hydro One Inc.:
Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is
Ontario's largest electricity
transmission and distribution provider with approximately 1.4
million valued customers, approximately $27.1 billion in assets as at December 31, 2019, and annual revenues in 2019 of
approximately $6.5 billion. Our team
of approximately 8,800 skilled and dedicated employees proudly
build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is
essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2019,
Hydro One invested approximately $1.7
billion in its transmission and distribution networks and
supported the economy through buying approximately $1.5 billion of goods and services. We are
committed to the communities where we live and work through
community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We
are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Company by the Canadian
Electricity Association. Hydro One Limited's common shares are
listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes
are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at
www.hydroone.com; www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.
About Hydro Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa delivers
electricity to more than 340,000 homes and businesses in
Ottawa and Casselman. For 100 years, Hydro Ottawa has
reliably supplied its customers with power, building and investing
in the local electric grid. Proudly municipally owned, Hydro Ottawa
contributes to the well-being of the community we serve. Its
innovative services help customers manage their account and energy
use.
About Toronto Hydro
Toronto Hydro owns and operates the electricity distribution
system for Canada's largest city. Recognized as a
Sustainable Electricity Company™ since 2014, it has approximately
782,000 customers located in the City of Toronto and
distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed
in Ontario.
SOURCE Alectra Utilities Corporation