“Don’t be afraid to say No!” The Ontario Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Energy Board raise awareness of scams

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Bing!

Your phone goes off, and you go to check your text.

“We are pleased to announce that because of the high cost of heating in the province of Ontario, Doug Ford has recently introduced a one-time payment for all Ontario households. (Reply “INFO” to complete your one-time payment)”

“Well that is incredible,” you say to yourself. It is the Christmas Season, this is a perfect time for the government to be providing this payment, and you start to reply “INFO…”

STOP!

The Ontario Energy Board is reporting a 25% increase in energy scams in recent months. Scammers are using phone calls, texts, emails, social media ads, and home visits.

Scammers are becoming more creative, which means residents need to keep their guard up. They might pretend to be: the government, your bank, your employer, someone that you owe money to, or even an old friend. Scammers use phone calls, emails, or fake websites to trick you into sharing your personal information. These tricks are sometimes called “phishing.”

Statistics from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre show 2021 was a historic year for reported frauds, with losses totalling $379-million. Of that $379-million, Ontario residents represented $142 million in losses reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2021. It is estimated that only 5% of victims report their frauds to law enforcement or the CAFC.

The Ontario Ministry of Energy and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are working together on a campaign to raise awareness of scams. They are aware that scammers in Ontario are using aggressive tactics and targeting vulnerable populations, often to push them into signing contracts.

Their awareness campaign slogan is “Don’t be afraid to say No,” and they have provided a series of facts and talking points for your use:

• Frauds are being presented through phone calls, texts, emails, social media ads, and home visits

• Some involve messages from companies who claim to be affiliated with, or endorsed by, the OEB
• Some companies falsely include the OEB’s name and logo in their messaging

Others claim to offer rebates or to help consumers apply for financial assistance under energy bill payment assistance programs like the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) or the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

Don’t be afraid to say no. Energy utilities, the Ontario Energy Board and the government do not phone, email, or text to promote energy saving programs, or to offer an in-home inspection. We encourage people to talk with friends or family members who might be more vulnerable to scammers.

You can contact the Ontario Energy Board at 1-877-632-2727 or visit oeb.ca/scams to learn more.