‘Hydro Extortion’ scam targets businesses in New Brunswick

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A telephone scam known as the “hydro extortion” has targeted at least three NB Power customers in one day. David Halfyard, the owner of the well-known Fredericton diner The Cabin, said the telephone scam nearly worked on him. “I almost paid. They almost got me,” said Halfyard.

Telephone scam

The scam starts with a call to the business, often at the busiest time of day. The fraudster says a crew has already been dispatched to disconnect power due to an unpaid power bill. The business is given a matter of minutes to pay-up before the crew arrives.

By: Redmond Shannon
Read the full article at CBC News.