City warns public about new utility services scam involving sweepstakes winnings

The City of Saskatoon is warning residents of a phone scam involving their utility bills.

The city said a resident was called by a man claiming to be with a company called Winner's International and was told they had won a huge cash prize for paying their utility bill on time.

The resident was told they had to pay one per cent of their winnings to cover the cost of lawyers before they could cash their winning cheque.

The city said scammers use the information they gather to get money or to commit identity theft.

The city said the company Winners International Payout Services has been involved in a number of similar reported scams.

The city said they will never send these types of messages and will never request or collect credit card or bank account information from customers via phone, text or email.

And the city does not hold sweepstakes as a reward for paying your utility account on time.

Residents should contact their bank if they have become a victim of fraud, and also report these types of online scams to Saskatoon Police Service at saskatoonpolice.ca/onlinereporting/fraud/ or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centerat1-888-495-8501.

Concerned residents can also call the City of Saskatoon to speak with a Customer Service Representative at 306-975-2400.