When the co-owner of Greens and Beans Deli got a phone call earlier this month from B.C. Hydro informing him the power would be cut off if he didn’t pay an outstanding bill right away, he knew immediately something wasn’t right.
New Westminster police issued a bulletin on Tuesday warning residents of fraudsters posing as B.C. Hydro employees and attempting to get money by telling the person on the other line that their electricity will be turned off if they don’t pay right away.
When Matt Green received his call, it had a Florida area code, the first sign it wasn’t a legitimate call. Another clue was that in New West, as most residents know, the city supplies electricity directly through its own electrical company.
“(The caller) said we’re behind on our payment and we’re in risk of having our power shut off,” Green recalled. “And he called on Saturday. No one ever calls on a Saturday.”
He also noted that, in the past, when he had been behind on a payment, B.C. Hydro never called.
Once Green realized the call was a scam, he hung up and did a quick search online and confirmed it was a scam that had been circulating throughout the Lower Mainland.
There have been several incidents like this one reported during the past month. In most cases, the caller demands the “customer” pay the outstanding bill or risk losing power within the hour, according to a media release from New Westminster police.
It’s also been reported that the caller “suggests the customer purchase a cash gift card and then to call back to provide the serial number on the back of the card,” the release stated.
In some cases, the caller instructed the customer to send money via Western Union.
“If you receive a call from someone representing B.C. Hydro and they are demanding immediate payment, please hang up and call B.C. Hydro at 1-800-BCHYDRO or 1-800-224-9376 to ensure authenticity,” Sgt. Diana McDaniel said in the release.
If you have been a victim of this scam or have received any calls from a fraudster representing B.C. Hydro, report the incident to the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411 or your local police department.
