Phone scam hits energy companies
NTPC warns of person posing as collection agent demanding credit card payments
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 17, 2015
DEH CHO
A series of phone scams circulating the Deh Cho have energy companies asking customers to beware.
The scams were first reported by Northwest Territories Power Corporation on Dec. 9 in an e-mailed statement.
At that time, the statement said the power company had received reports from two individuals and two businesses in Fort Simpson about suspicious calls regarding their bills.
The calls in question were from someone claiming to be from the company and threatening to cut off power if an immediate payment was not made by credit card.
The bulletin states that when NTPC employees call to collect on overdue accounts, they do not specifically ask for credit card payments and will be able to provide details such as account numbers and amount of last payment.
They will also be calling from the Northwest Territories, stated the release.
On Dec. 15, NTPC communications manager Pam Coulter told Deh Cho Drum the company has since had reports of similar calls from Hay River, Fort Resolution and Yellowknife.
"There are likely others that we haven't heard about, as well," she said.
"Sharing this information in all communities is important to ensure residents and businesses are not taken in by this scam and lose money."
The power corp. recommends anyone receiving a call like this to not make a payment over the phone. Instead, customers are being advised to ask for the name and callback number of the person they are speaking with, call the power corp. customer service, contact local RCMP and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
RCMP media liaison Const. Elenore Sturko stated in an e-mail that RCMP investigates reports of scam calls.
"We urge anyone who receives a call threatening to shut off power unless payment is made: to hang up, call the company directly on a number located on a bill and verify the request," she stated.
Northland Utilities targeted as well
The day after the Northwest Territories Power Corporation notified the public about the scam, Northland Utilities issued a scam alert to its customers as well.
The alert warns business owners of phone calls from someone claiming to be NWT Power or Northland Utilities and threatening to cut off power within 30 minutes if payment is not received.
As of Dec. 15, Northland Utilities had a scam alert posted on their website asking customers who receive suspicious calls to contact the company's office in Yellowknife or Hay River.
"These calls are not being made from Northland Utilities or on our behalf," the alert states.
