OTTAWA – Be wary of any unsolicited phone call promising lower utility rates or demanding payment. As the seasons change, so do the tactics scammers use to try to take information or money from residents. According to AARP, a twist on the way these individuals target the vulnerable, like the elderly, is to claim the victim actually made an overpayment, and they need their banking information to issue a refund. Other scams may involve gaining account details to switch to third party services without the utility customer knowing. Authorities say you should only deal directly with the utility provider for billing issues with the number on your bill or at their official website.
