Alert: Sophisticated Scam Targets Medicine Hat Residents

Medicine Hat residents and business owners, take note—there’s a new scam making the rounds that’s as deceptive as it is dangerous. This fraudulent scheme targets unsuspecting individuals with a convincingly orchestrated ruse involving overdue power bills and fake City of Medicine Hat contact information.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Setup

The scam begins with a phone call claiming to be from the City of Medicine Hat. The caller insists your power bill is overdue and warns that disconnection is imminent unless immediate action is taken. They’ll provide a callback number to “resolve” the issue but avoid giving further details.

If you call the provided number, you’re met with a professional-sounding automated system. It mimics the City’s official phone menu, complete with a “Welcome to the City of Medicine Hat” introduction. This deceptive layer makes the scam feel alarmingly authentic. Once connected to a representative, you’re asked to provide account details, putting you at serious risk of identity theft or financial loss.

How to Spot the Scam

In one case, a vigilant resident noticed something was off during the call. By cross-referencing the phone number with the City of Medicine Hat’s official website, they confirmed the number was fake. Calling the City directly verified that their account was in good standing, exposing the scam.

This incident is a reminder that even the savviest among us can fall prey to scams that are carefully crafted to exploit trust and urgency.

What You Can Do

Protect yourself by following these guidelines:

1. Verify Contact Details: Always confirm phone numbers or emails through official city websites or documents. Never rely on information provided in unsolicited calls.

2. Avoid Sharing Information: Don’t provide personal or account details unless you’re 100% sure of the caller’s legitimacy.

3. Stay Skeptical of Urgency: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush you into making mistakes. Take a moment to pause and verify.

4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately and contact the City of Medicine Hat or local law enforcement to report the incident.

Spread the Word

This scam is alarmingly sophisticated and could easily catch others off guard. Share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to ensure they’re aware of the warning signs.

By staying vigilant and informed, we can prevent these scammers from succeeding. Let’s protect our community and put these fraudsters out of business!

For official contact numbers and support, visit the City of Medicine Hat’s official website or call their verified customer service line.