2023-04-23 21:02:02
More than two weeks following the power outages caused by the ice storm, Hydro-Québec customers are the target of a new wave of fraud.
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Over the past few days, many citizens have reported text messages to TVA Nouvelles informing them that financial compensation has been issued by the state-owned company.
Screenshot TVA News
The content of the short text may differ slightly from person to person, but always ends with a hyperlink that people are encouraged to click on in order to claim their compensation.
Screenshot TVA News
This is of course a fraud and it is important not to click on the link. Opening the suggested webpage might put your personal information at risk.
Screenshot TVA News
In response to an Internet user who reported having received such a message, Hydro-Québec confirmed on Twitter that it was indeed a case of fraud.
«Hydro-Québec does not send text messages. We suggest you contact the Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501 to report the event. You can also forward the email to our monitoring center: [email protected],” explained the state-owned company.
@hydroquebec I just received a text message:
206-456-XXXX
Hello 1XXX-XXXXXXX, Hydro Quebec has issued an indemnity. To find out more, click on the link below. https://l3yo.c…I imagine it’s a new fraud!
— Patrick Koppes (@KoppesPatrick) April 21, 2023
The day following the ice storm, fraudsters had already tried to scam citizens using the same type of scheme.
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