The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Albertans of possible utility rebate scams that some people have already reported receiving. 

Wes Lafortune, Media and Communications Specialist at the Better Business Bureau, wants to make sure more people don’t fall victim to this scam. 

“There have been a couple of media reports that people have already received texts that are fake from scammers asking them to register for an Electricity Rebate Program.” 

Earlier this year, the Alberta Government announced a rebate for Albertans on their monthly utility bills to help combat the rising costs of gas used each month. The plan from the Alberta government is to rebate $50 per month for three consecutive months for a total of $150. 

Lafortune mentioned when the rebate does happen, Albertans will get the rebate directly on their utility bill. There is no such program and no such registration needed as requested in the scammer's texts. 

If you receive a text asking you to register for this program Lafortune says to simply ignore it, delete it, and don't respond. It's a scam. 

“We've had a couple of reports of this, I think it's going to be a fairly widespread problem. Just because there is a gap between the announcement of the program and the rolling out of the program, it gives scammers an opportunity to take advantage of that.” 

Lafortune says scammers are always looking for an opportunity to get personal information or a person's financial information. 

“Scammers tend to be fairly smart people and they know folks are going to be motivated by a rebate by getting some money back.” 

If people do fall victim to such a scam, Lafortune says it's always a good idea to let the BBB know so other people don’t fall victim.