City warns about new phone scam directed at power customers

The city of Saskatoon is warning residents about a new phone scam targeting Saskatoon Light and Power customers.

Scammers posing as workers have been telling residents or businesses that they have a delinquent account, and owe money.

If they don’t pay the funds, the scammers say power will be cut off to the customer.

The city has been contacted by multiple concerned residents about the calls.

In response, they’ve released some reminders for residents:

• These types of demanding ‘pay or have your power cut-off’ messages are never sent from the City of Saskatoon or Saskatoon Light and 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.

The city said residents should contact their bank if they’ve become a victim of fraud, and to report phone or online scams to Saskatoon Police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Residents with concerns or questions can also contact the city to speak to a customer service representative.