BC Hydro has seen a spike in phone, text and email scams since April 1st, after their COVID-19 Relief Fund began. (Photo Courtesy, Veronica Beltran. CKPG News Online Journalist)

By Veronica Beltran

increase in scams

BC Hydro reports 350 percent increase in scams since COVID-19 relief fund began

Apr 24, 2020 | 9:25 AM

VANCOUVER—BC Hydro is warning their customers of an increase in scams since the COVID-19 Relief Fund became available, earlier this month.

The company says they have seen a 350 percent increase in reported scams in the month of April compared to March.

BC Hydro says they are aware of two types of scams, one of which involves a fraudster threatening service disconnection for an overdue account.

Two types of scams they are aware of:

• Phone and email scam: Customers receive automated calls or fake bill notifications emails from fraudsters posing as BC Hydro employees, threatening disconnection for an overdue bill. Customers are asked to call a 1-877 number to make a payment, and the number connects to a replica of BC Hydro’s phone system. Fraudsters then ask the customer to purchase pre-paid credit cards or deposit money into a bitcoin ATM wallet to avoid disconnection.
• Phishing scam: Customers receive a text message that appears to be from BC Hydro, indicating that they are eligible for a refund. Customers are directed to click a link to submit their banking information for deposit.

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To avoid becoming a victim to either of these scams, BC Hydro wants their customers to know:

• It has suspended all disconnections for non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic
• It does not collect credit card or bank account information over the phone, by email or text
• It does not accept payment from pre-paid cash or credit cards, or bitcoin ATM
• It does not offer refunds or credits through Interac e-transfer

BC Hydro warns that if any customer doubts the authenticity of a call, email or text they should call BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376 or check their MyHydro account.