Manitoba Hydro urges customers to delete fraudulent text messages

Manitoba Hydro has received dozens of reports from customers this weekend about a possible text scam, according to a spokesperson for the Crown corporation.

Manitoba Hydro says customers should beware of a text message scam that threatens to cut off people’s power if they don’t pay their electricity bill.

The texts tell the recipient that they did not pay their most recent Hydro bill, and that they must fully pay the remaining balance before Sunday — or else their power might be disconnected.

“The best thing [customers] can do is just to delete it off their phone. Do not click on any links,” said Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen in an interview Sunday.

“If you do that, you risk giving these criminals access to your personal information and your money.”

Owen said the Crown corporation has received dozens of reports from customers this weekend about a possible text scam.

He also said Hydro doesn’t send these type of messages. Instead, the corporation tries to speak with customers over the phone or notify them on their bill if their power is at risk of being shut off.

“We do not threaten to send the truck around that day to cut you off,” he said.

“That’s absolutely 100 per cent just a ridiculous scam.”

Utility companies across North American often fall victim to these types of scams, Owen added. He said there’s not much Hydro can do about it.

“They come in waves,” he said. “We’re the target right now and tomorrow or the next hour it could be a utility in in the United States.”

Customers can visit Manitoba Hydro’s website for more information.