Enmax is joining over 80 utilities across North America to battle fraudsters using phone and door-to-door scams.
READ MORE: ENMAX warns of phone scam claiming power will be disconnected
The utility company is warning targets include small businesses such as restaurants, along with residences.
Enmax says there’s been over 150 incidents in the last two years in Calgary.
“We’ve heard of scammers threatening restaurant owners with disconnection right before their busy dinner rush, or intimidating individuals who have sensitive medical equipment in their home to pay up immediately or lose their medical support,” Enmax spokesperson Doris Kaufmann Woodcock said in a Wednesday statement.
READ MORE: Enmax issues warning about Alberta payment card scam
Enmax says even with the help of police, perpetrators are hard to find, because phone scams can originate outside of Canada.
“The best defence is to warn the public of the threat,” Kaufmann Woodcock said, adding the company is using traditional and social media to warn residents.
READ MORE: Police warn of door-to-door salesman posing as ENMAX employee
Enmax is also considering calling customers directly, or personally meeting with them to raise awareness.
The company provided the following information to help avoid being a victim:
• With the exception of Meter Readers, Enmax does not send employees door to door. This includes furnace sales and servicing – products that Enmax does not offer.
• There are no surprise disconnections. Enmax never threatens imminent disconnection with only a few short hours to make a payment. We will always work with customers whose account is in arrears to establish mutually agreeable payment arrangements.
• Enmax does not take credit card payments over the phone – this includes pre-paid credit cards. Other “loan” type payment options such as MoneyMart are also not accepted.
If you think you’ve been victim to a scam, call and notify Enmax at 310-2010.
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