No real retailer or wires company asks for gift cards or cryptocurrency. None demands payment on the spot or threatens same-day shut-off. Hang up and call the number printed on your bill.
What are the signs of a utility scam?
The Utilities Consumer Advocate flags payment pressure and threats. Retailer warnings and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre explain what to watch for:
- Gift cards or cryptocurrency as payment. ENMAX does not accept pre-paid credit cards, gift cards or cryptocurrency. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- Pressure to pay at once. EPCOR will not threaten you or demand immediate payment on the spot. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- A caller claiming your power will be cut off unless you pay. A fraudster claims to work for a local or provincial hydro company and says an unpaid bill must be paid immediately or the power will be turned off. They may request gift cards or Bitcoin. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
- A text offering a refund. ENMAX does not provide refunds over text. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
Check independently. Use the number on your bill or open your usual online account yourself.
What do ENMAX, EPCOR and Direct Energy say?
ATCO Energy: ATCO Energy will never send a salesperson to your home. (read 21 October 2026) [source]
Direct Energy: Do not trust anyone demanding immediate payment or threatening to shut your power off. Legitimate businesses give you time to make a decision. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Check your account with customer support at 1-866-374-6299 (read 21 October 2026) [source].
ENMAX: ENMAX does not accept pre-paid credit cards, gift cards or cryptocurrency. (read 21 October 2026) [source] ENMAX does not disconnect power without fair warning and process. (read 21 October 2026) [source] ENMAX does not provide refunds over text. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Call 310-2010 (read 21 October 2026) [source] or check your online account.
EPCOR: EPCOR will not ask you to pay your bill with gift cards, Bitcoin or cash at a physical location. (read 21 October 2026) [source] EPCOR will not threaten you or demand immediate payment on the spot. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Call 310-4300 (read 21 October 2026) [source] to ask whether EPCOR contacted you.
Is the energy rebate text real?
The government warns of scam texts about the rebate. Do not click links in text messages; apply only through the official Alberta.ca portal. The government will not send money by text message. (1 July 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]
A one-time $100 payment for eligible Albertans to help with the cost of everyday essentials. (1 July 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]
Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2026; the deadline was extended. (1 July 2026 to 31 October 2026) [source]
Open the official Alberta Energy Rebate page yourself. For program questions, call 1-844-401-4014 (read 21 October 2026) [source].
Someone came to my door. Is that allowed?
Selling household energy products door to door without an invitation, including natural gas and electricity contracts and furnaces, has been banned in Alberta since 1 January 2017. You can still invite a salesperson to your home. (from 1 January 2017) [source] This covers unsolicited sales of natural gas and electricity contracts.
A sales knock is different from a meter reader or a utility crew visit. If you signed a contract, read how to cancel an energy contract.
I already paid or gave my details. What now?
Call your bank first. Tell them what you paid or shared. Then call your retailer using the number on your bill.
Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (read 21 October 2026) [source]. Victims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca. (read 21 October 2026) [source] Use the online reporting link on the official reporting page. You can also report it to your local police.
For a billing dispute, contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate: 310-4822 in Alberta or 1-888-644-6608 from outside Alberta, Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; email ucahelps@gov.ab.ca. (read 5 October 2026) [source]. Read our energy complaints guide for the next steps.
How do I know BillRobin is real?
We compare every plan we can confirm for your home, show them in order of estimated cost, and you decide, free during our launch. We never switch your plan, never phone you and never ask for banking details or a social insurance number or gift cards.
A bill check, free during our launch
BillRobin is an Alberta service. We compare every plan we can confirm for your home, show them in order of estimated cost, and you decide. We never switch your plan, never phone you and never ask for banking details or a social insurance number.
Send us your gas and electricity bills as PDFs. No PDF? Screenshots or a photo work too. We compare the plans at your address, free during our launch period.
Questions people ask
Will my power company call to say I will be cut off today?
Treat a call demanding payment now to avoid a shut-off as a warning sign. ENMAX says power cannot be cut off without fair warning and a process. Hang up and call the number printed on your bill. Check your account before paying anything.
Can a retailer ask me to pay with a gift card?
A request for gift cards or cryptocurrency is a warning sign. ENMAX says it does not accept either. EPCOR says it will not ask for gift cards or Bitcoin. Stop the conversation and call the number on your bill to check your account directly.
Is the Alberta Energy Rebate sent by text?
No. The Government of Alberta says it will not send money by text message. Do not click a text link to apply for the rebate or claim a payment. Visit the official Alberta.ca rebate page yourself to check the program and its application dates.
Who do I report a utility scam to?
If you paid or shared financial details, call your bank first, then your retailer using the number on your bill. Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone or through its online reporting service. The Utilities Consumer Advocate can help with a billing dispute.
Sources
Written by the BillRobin team. Updated .
Show the 10 sources
- ATCO Energy: FAQ
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Extortion
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Report fraud and cybercrime
- Direct Energy: Avoid utility scams
- ENMAX: Be scam aware
- EPCOR: Consumer scams
- Government of Alberta: Door-to-door energy sales ban
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Spotting a utility scam
- Utilities Consumer Advocate: Contact Us
- Alberta Energy Rebate
https://billrobin.com/ca/en/alberta/energy/utility-scams?utm_medium=share&utm_source=page
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