ENWIN Alerts Customers to Potential for Bitcoin Scams

Other utilities report cryptocurrency fraud

October 25, 2019

Windsor, ON: ENWIN Utilities Ltd. (ENWIN) is reminding customers to remain vigilant against potential scam attempts. Other utilities have reported that scammers are attempting to extort money from customers through bitcoin and cryptocurrency machines. These machines resemble ATM machines and are typically located inside convenience stores.

While none of these scam attempts have taken place in Windsor, ENWIN is alerting customers to be on guard.

Residential and small business customers at other utilities have reported receiving calls from people claiming to be their local hydro company. During these calls, customers have been threatened with service disconnection and directed to make an immediate payment at bitcoin or cryptocurrency machines, at specific locations.

ENWIN reminds customers that the utility does not accept cryptocurrency payment. Customers who receive a suspicious phone call should phone Windsor Police Services and/or ENWIN to report a fraud attempt.

ENWIN encourages customers to guard against scam attempts by noting the following:

• Scam artists will develop elaborate schemes to defraud the public;
• ENWIN does not call customers to ask for cryptocurrency, bitcoin, gift card, or prepaid credit card payments; We will never ask for your credit card number over the phone;
• If you are unsure of the identity of a caller claiming to represent ENWIN, hang up immediately and call 519-255-2727 for verification;
• ENWIN always provides multiple notices to customers in jeopardy of disconnection of service, following regulations set by the Ontario Energy Board. 

For information on how to protect yourself or your business against fraud, please visit the RCMP’s Scams and Fraud website here.

If you have questions about the collection process and/or your account balance, please reach our call centre at 519-255-2727, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.