Cut Knife RCMP are raising awareness of a phone scam that has been reported to the detachment by a concerned citizen.
In a press release Cst. Warner Ignatiuk explains the scam has been around for a long time.
The RCMP describe the scam as the "hydro power saver" scam and say it involves an anonymous sales representative contacting people by phone and asking them if they would be interested in saving up to 50 per cent on their power bill by using a "power saver" device that simply plugs into the wall and improves the efficiency of the consumer's electrical appliances. The sales representative asks the consumer if this would be something that they would be interested in and then asks them if they would like to speak with their supervisor. The consumer is then asked for their credit card and address information in order to complete the transaction.
According to the Competition Bureau Canada, there are a number of companies that are selling energy conservation products. Consumers are misled into thinking the "power saver" is a way to improve the efficiency of electrical appliances by helping to "stabilize" voltages and reduce currents on power supplies/appliances in the consumer's household. Typical performance claims are savings of between 25 and 50 per cent.
Numerous complaints have been reported to the Competition Bureau of Canada stating that this product does not work, according to the RCMP press release.
These companies are currently contacting Canadians by telephone and often claim to be a local or provincial power company. Consumers interested in the product are instructed to pay through multiple methods including cheque, money order or credit card.
Indicators of the scam according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre may include:
Receiving unsolicited telephone calls claiming to be a local or provincial hydro company and offering a device to lower electricity costs.
The caller requesting information about your power bill.
Credit card transaction ranging from $130 to $189.
The product purchased does not have any Canadian Safety Standards (CSA) markings.
If you receive such an offer and it sounds too good to be true, then there is a strong likelihood that it is a scam, says Cst. Ignatiuk.
For more information on this phone scam, see the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre web site at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
