Utilities Kingston is warning customers to beware of phone calls and text messages pretending to be from Utilities Kingston or Kingston Hydro and demanding payment for utilities. This is a scam. Several customers have reported this activity.

The scammers appear to be targeting realtors or homeowners who recently listed their property for sale.

If you receive a message, text, or phone call from someone posing as a utility representative and threatening to disconnect your utility services, do not respond to it and contact Utilities Kingston customer service directly at 613-546-1181, Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.  

If you receive a suspicious call:

• Do not provide any personal information, including Utilities Kingston or credit card account numbers.
• Collect any information possible about the caller.
• Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. This agency collects information on fraud and works closely with police to solve these crimes.
• If you become a victim of fraud through monetary loss, call Kingston Police at 613-549-4660.

Reminders:

• Utilities Kingston does not place calls from, or solicit calls to, a 1-800 or 1-888 number.
• Utilities Kingston requests overdue accounts be paid via Paymentus, its third-party credit card payment provider, or by contacting credit and collections at 613-546-1181, extension 2278. We never request payment to be made via Bitcoin or QR code.
• For customers who are at risk of a service disruption, there are standard reminders and notices mailed and hand-delivered by Utilities Kingston before disruption occurs. Customers are asked to follow the instructions noted in these letters so that we can assist.