Enova Power warning residents about scam

Enova Power Corp. is warning residents to be cautious of a scam making the rounds.

It has received multiple reports from residents about someone claiming to be a representative of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro or Waterloo North Hydro. The two companies merged in September to become Enova.

A caller threatens to disconnect hydro if an overdue account is not paid within an hour. The calls are often made during peak business times also. The fraudster may provide 1-800 callback number which is answered as “hydro”, or sometimes “Kitchener Hydro” or “Waterloo Hydro.”

Enova says it does not disconnect with little or no notice, adding customers would receive multiple notices before disconnection occurs.

The utility also only makes collection calls Monday through Friday — from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. — and never on weekends.

Here are other ways to identify a scam:

– The caller tells you to pay the amount through a cryptocurrency machine at a convenience store. Enova does not accept payment using cryptocurrency or at convenience stores.

– The caller identifies themselves as being from either Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro or Waterloo North Hydro without including Enova in the name.

– You are contacted via text message. Enova does not send text messages to customers.

– Enova does not accept payment using pre-paid credit cards.

– Enova does not call from a 1-800 number.

– Enova never asks for bank information over the phone.

If you do receive a suspicous call, or text, you should not provide any personal or banking information, and hang up immediately.