Scam and Fraud Prevention

Scam and Fraud Prevention

Utility customers are often the target of scammers, and these activities are becoming more sophisticated. With your safety as our top priority, here’s some information on how you can protect yourself or your business from scams and fraud.

Recognizing a Scam

The fight against fraud starts with awareness. Knowing how to recognize a potential scam is the first step.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and may pretend to be an employee or partner of NS Power. They may reach out by phone, email, text message, or even by showing up at your door. Their intent is malicious. Scammers are looking to obtain personal information such as passwords, account/credit card details or money.

fraud prevention 101

Facts to keep in mind

1.

We never demand payment on your doorstep.

2.

We don't collect a separate payment for equipment or installation.

3.

We never require payment via pre-paid credit card, PayPal, gift card or digital currency.

If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a phone call, or any communications from NS Power, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Care team at 1-800-428-6230

If you feel threatened in any way, always contact the local police.

 

 

 

Types of Scams

Text scams

Scams via text message are any unsolicited messages that attempt to obtain your personal information, gaining access to your online accounts or request money.

Please remember:

  • NS Power has several points of contacts with customers who fall behind paying their power bill. If your account is past due, you will receive a written notice of your account status, with steps on how to avoid disconnection of service.
  • Nova Scotia Power never requires payment via pre-paid credit card, PayPal, or digital currency.
  • We would never ask for your online account details via a text message.

 

What you should do:

  • Do not respond to a suspicious text message.
  • Never provide account information or any money, credit/banking information, or personal information to a suspicious message.
  • Be aware that scammers often use Caller ID spoofing software to misrepresent the source of a phone call or provide a fake "verification" phone number. These call-back numbers may even include exact replicas of Nova Scotia Power’s greetings and hold messaging.
  • Call our Customer Care Centre at 1-800-428-6230 to confirm legitimacy.

Phone scams

Scammers may attempt to contact you by phone, claiming your account payment is overdue. They may use high-pressure tactics and demand that immediate payment is required through pre-paid credit card, PayPal, or digital currency (e.g. Bitcoin).

 

Please remember:

  • We never demand immediate payment to prevent shut off of power. If your account is past due, you will receive a written notice of your account status, with instructions on how to avoid disconnection of service.
  • While a Nova Scotia Power representative may call a customer whose bill is in arrears in order to remind them an account is due, the representative will explain how a payment can be made using our established payment options.  
  • Nova Scotia Power never requires payment via pre-paid credit card, PayPal, or digital currency.

 

What you should do:

  • If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. 
  • Never provide any money, credit/banking information, or personal information to a suspicious caller.
  • Be aware that scammers often use Caller ID spoofing software to misrepresent the source of a phone call or provide a fake "verification" phone number. These call-back numbers may even include exact replicas of Nova Scotia Power’s greetings and hold messaging.
  • Call our Customer Care Centre at 1-800-428-6230 to confirm legitimacy of the call.

Phishing

Whereas scams aim to sell you unwanted products or get you to send money to the scammer, phishing is an email expressly designed to obtain personal and sensitive information or distribute malware.

 

Please remember:

  • Our e-bill notification emails are sent from home@nspower.ca and never include attachments. The body of the email provides links to a secure website that prompts customers to log in to MyAccount to view your e-bill.
  • We do not request personal information
  • Phishing emails typically use highly emotional or charged language

What you should do:

  • Check the sender’s email address. Don’t click on links, open attachments, or download photos or documents if the sender is unknown. Our e-bill notification emails are sent from home@nspower.ca
  • Don’t respond directly to the email, or any phone number included in the message.
  • Never provide any money, credit/banking information, or personal information to a suspicious email.
  • Call our Customer Care Centre at 1-800-428-6230 to confirm legitimacy of the email or text.