TORONTO HYDRO CUSTOMER ALERT: Criminals continue posing as utility employees and seeking payment over the phone

TORONTO, Aug. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro customers should be aware of criminals claiming to be part of its collection and billing department. Toronto Hydro is aware of this scam and reminds customers to report any suspicious phone calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

According to the reports, customers are receiving phone calls from people claiming to be from the ''Toronto Hydro Billing and Collection Process.'' The calls are being made from a 1-800 phone number and victims are being threatened with having their electricity disconnected if they do not immediately provide payment in the form of a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer.  Do not provide any personal information including your account number. 

Should customers receive a suspicious call, contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately at 1-888-495-8501 and quote file number 844396.

Toronto Hydro does not ask for a pre-paid credit card payment or wire transfer in overdue account situations nor does our Customer Care department have a 1-800 number.  Our collections process includes  multiple timed communications, including automated telephone messages, and a hand delivered notice prior to electricity disconnection.

About Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 734,000 customers located in the city of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

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SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Brian Buchan, Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited, [email protected], 647-298-3648