City warns public: beware of utility services phone scam

It appears the scammers are at it again - hoping to take advantage of unsuspecting utility customers.

The City wants to warn residents again about an identified scam involving phone calls appearing to come from the resident’s utility company.

The caller indicates that the resident or business has a delinquent account and owes money, otherwise their power will be shut off. A number of concerned business owners have contacted the City on this matter.

Helpful reminders for residents:

• These types of demanding ‘pay - or have your power cut-off’ phone messages, Robocalls, texts or emails are never sent from the City of Saskatoon or Saskatoon Light & Power.
• The City never requests or collects credit card or bank account information from customers via phone, text or email.
• The City typically uses application forms to collect banking information for setting up new utility accounts, direct debit bill payments or for the TIPPS program.
• Never give out your personal or banking information, or credit card number over the phone, by text or email. It is a best practice to block suspicious phone numbers and delete after reporting.
• Do not to click on suspicious web links.

Scammers typically use the information they gather this way to get money or commit identity theft. Previous public service announcements from the City have warned residents about scams involving fake text messages and emails, both demanding payment from customers they said ‘owed money’.

Residents should contact their bank if they have become a victim of fraud, and also report these types of phone or online scams to Saskatoon Police Service at saskatoonpolice.ca/onlinereporting/fraud or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, 1-888-495-8501.

Concerned residents may also call the City of Saskatoon to speak with a Customer Service Representative at 306-975-2400.