***PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BONNYVILLE RCMP DETACHMENT***
On June 6th, 2015 the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment received a complaint from a local business owner regarding a fraud. The business owner reported that he had been contacted by Hudson Energy who directed him to get pre paid credit cards to pay his electric bill or they would shut his power off. The business owner checked with his bank and was advised that all of his electric payments had been processed on time. The business owner was directed to attend the Bonnyville Co-op to purchase the pre paid credit cards. The Bonnyville RCMP contacted both ATCO and Hudson Energy and advised them of the police file.
The Bonnyville RCMP would like to remind local citizens to report scams to the RCMP along with the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre @ 1-888-495-8501. Residents and business owners should safeguard themselves from scams by calling back any organizations or service providers that contact them demanding payment. Do not rely on the contact information provided by the caller but instead use the phone numbers listed on your service bills or on the national websites/ phone directories. No legitimate businesses ask you to pay your bills by way of prepaid credit cards.