Maritime Electric phone scam reported

Maritime Electric, P.E.I.'s main electrical utility, is warning customers about a possible phone scam.

The company has posted a notice on its web site saying it has been getting calls from concerned customers who have been contacted by people claiming to be from Maritime Electric.

The callers are asking customers to make urgent payments to avoid having their power disconnected.

The caller tells the customer to purchase a prepaid Visa card at the post office. After purchasing the Visa card customers are to call a 1-866 number, which Maritime Electric says is not connected to it, with the Visa information.

Maritime Electric is advising all customers that if they receive calls like this to end the call immediately.

They are then being asked to call Maritime Electric's toll-free customer number at 1-800-670-1012 or email to report the incident.

Customers are also asked to report any fraudulent calls to the police.