BC Hydro is once again alerting customers about a phone scam that is going around BC specifically targeting restaurant owners.
According to BC Hydro the scam has been ongoing since early September and it has been reported in all areas of the province including the Okanagan.
“Since then more customers have come forward with additional details and we do know that the fraudulent calls are coming from 1-800 phone numbers,” explains BC Hydro Spokesperson Mora Scott. “The caller will demand immediate payment to avoid immediate disconnection. They suggest the customer purchase a gift card and that they provide the serial number on the back of the card to the fraudster.”
Recently Coquitlam RCMP issued a release saying that one shopkeeper received a call in which the fraudster demanded they purchase three $500 and one $494.84 money order from a grocery store to pay their overdue bill.
BC Hydro reminds customers that they do not collect credit card information or banking information over the phone, and they do not take the payment of cash gift cards either. These scam phone calls have been reported by businesses in the Okanagan and Kelowna as local restaurants have been targeted.
If you receive a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be a representative of BC Hydro demanding immediate payment you are asked to hang up and call BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376. You can also report the call to your local police department.
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