BC Hydro is warning customers about a surge in increasingly sophisticated scams, with incidents spiking since May.
In a news release, the utility said 60 customers reported falling victim to scams in May, while another 92 contacted BC Hydro to report attempted scams.
The figures represent a 36 per cent increase in scam-related activity compared to the monthly average between February and April. However, the actual number is likely higher, the utility said, as many scam attempts go unreported.
“Scammers are continually refining their tactics to appear more convincing and credible,” said Susie Rieder, a BC Hydro spokesperson. “We urge customers to trust their instincts — if something feels off, it probably is — and to report suspicious activity right away.”
Scammers have been using spoofed phone calls, emails and deceptive online ads to impersonate BC Hydro employees. Some fraudulent ads link to fake websites offering bogus discounts on home upgrades and services.
In one recent case, a paid Google ad closely mimicked BC Hydro’s official website, resulting in several successful scams.
More concerning still, BC Hydro says fraudsters have shown up at customers’ homes posing as employees. In these instances, the scammers attempt to access the property or sell solar or battery services, falsely claiming customers will receive rebates.
BC Hydro says it is working with the RCMP, social media platforms and search engines to identify and remove fake content as quickly as possible.
To help protect customers, BC Hydro offers the following scam prevention tips:
- Suspicious messages: BC Hydro does not send billing or usage texts to residential customers
- False refunds or rebates: Only customers who opt in through MyHydro may receive legitimate Interac e-transfers. BC Hydro does not issue credits or refunds via e-transfer
- Fake contractors or affiliations: Always seek multiple quotes and confirm any contractor’s affiliation with BC Hydro. Payments should be made directly to the contractor — never to BC Hydro or CleanBC
- Unannounced visits or calls: BC Hydro employees never enter homes unannounced. Always ask for identification and call to verify. Scam calls can spoof BC Hydro’s number. If unsure, hang up and call 1-800-BCHYDRO directly
Customers are also encouraged to report fraudulent texts, calls or emails to their local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
