Local hydro companies warn customers of telephone scam

Callers threaten immediate disconnection for overdue hydro account

Energy+ Inc., Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc., Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc., and Waterloo North Hydro Inc. are warning customers to be aware of a telephone scam targeting electricity customers across the province.

Electricity customers in Ontario have reported receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to represent the local electricity distribution company. The caller threatens immediate disconnection of electricity service if an overdue amount is not paid using a pre-paid credit card or wire transfer. To make the threat seem legitimate, the fraud artists go so far as to provide a 1-800 number for people to call, which is answered “hydro”, or sometimes using the local electricity distributor name.

Your local hydro companies remind customers that utilities follow the rules laid out by the Ontario Energy Board when it comes to notifying customers about past due accounts and possible disconnection, and only use disconnection as a last resort. Past due reminders include multiple notices by mail or telephone prior to disconnection of service, including 10 days advance written notice, the opportunity to arrange a payment plan to avoid disconnection, and whenever possible, at least 48 hours’ notice before disconnection occurs.

Electricity distributors do not:
? Ask for credit cards over the phone or accept gift cards as acceptable forms of payment
? Ask for bank or electricity account balance information
? Disconnect service with little or no notice

Customers who receive a suspicious call should not provide any personal information, including bank or credit card account numbers or account balance, hang up immediately, and notify your local hydro utility when possible.

If you have questions about the collection process and/or your account balance, please call your local distribution company at the number listed below:
Energy+: 519-621-3530
Guelph Hydro: 519-822-3010 - between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro: 519-743-3600
Waterloo North Hydro: 519-885-6840

For information on how to protect yourself or your business against fraud, please visit the RCMP’s Scams and Fraud website at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

About Energy+ Inc.
Energy+ Inc., a local distribution company, delivers electricity and energy efficiency programs to approximately 64,500 customers in the City of Cambridge, Township of North Dumfries and within the County of Brant. The electricity is delivered through their local distribution of grid poles, wires and underground systems to meet the needs of their communities. The company also provides water/waste water billing and collection services to customers in the County of Brant on behalf of the County of Brant. The utility’s mission is to deliver ideas, solutions and value-added services that benefit their customers, stakeholders and communities.

About Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc.
Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. delivers a safe and reliable supply of electricity to approximately 55,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Guelph and Rockwood and actively promotes energy conservation in the community. The company is 100 per cent owned by Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. which is, in turn, wholly owned by the City of Guelph.

About Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc.
Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc. is a local distribution company, responsible for distributing electricity to 90,000 homes and businesses within the City of Kitchener and the Township of Wilmot. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Kitchener Power Corporation, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc. is focused on providing a safe and reliable supply of electricity to its customers.

About Waterloo North Hydro Inc.
Waterloo North Hydro Inc. is regulated and licensed to provide all regulated electricity distribution services to over 55,700 residential and business customers spanning 672 square kilometers in the City of Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich. Established in 1905, its mission is to deliver electricity safely and reliably, at the lowest reasonable cost. Waterloo North Hydro Inc. is a subsidiary of Waterloo North Hydro Holding Corporation and is jointly owned by the City of Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich.

Media Contacts:
Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc.
Sandy Manners, Director, Corporate Communications
519-837-4703
smanners@guelphhydro.com
www.guelphhydro.com
@GuelphHydro

Energy+ Inc.
Barbara Shortreed, Vice President Customer Care & Communications
519-621-8405, ext. 2227
bshortreed@energyplus.ca
www.energyplus.ca
@EnergyPlusInc

Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc.
Kelly McMath, Communications Specialist
519-749-6179
kmcmath@kwhydro.ca
www.kwhydro.ca
@KWHydro

Waterloo North Hydro Inc.
Jeff Quint, Manager, Energy Efficiency and Corporate Communications
519-888-5596
jquint@wnhydro.com
www.wnhydro.com
@WNHydro

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Telephone scam warning for customers