Toronto Hydro Customer Alert: Criminals continue posing as utility employees and seeking payment over the phone

You can read the Aug. 27, 2014 CNW news release here.

The opening paragraphs of the Toronto Hydro Customer Alert, which is related to the topic of scams and scamming, discussed elsewhere at the Preserved Stories website, read as follows:

• TORONTO, Aug. 27, 2014 /CNW/ – Toronto Hydro customers should be aware of criminals claiming to be part of its collection and billing department. Toronto Hydro is aware of this scam and reminds customers to report any suspicious phone calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

• According to the reports, customers are receiving phone calls from people claiming to be from the ”Toronto Hydro Billing and Collection Process.” The calls are being made from a 1-800 phone number and victims are being threatened with having their electricity disconnected if they do not immediately provide payment in the form of a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.  Do not provide any personal information including your account number.

• Should customers receive a suspicious call, contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately at 1-888-495-8501 and quote file number 844396.

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