Hydro‑Québec issued a public warning on June 25, 2026 after identifying a sharp increase in fraudulent email messages that purport to be from the utility. The company said the messages are being sent to recipients throughout Quebec and are designed to convince people to transfer money to scammers. Hydro‑Québec emphasized that the emails are not authorized by the utility and that any request for payment should be treated as suspicious.
The deceptive messages typically copy Hydro‑Québec’s visual style, including logos and familiar wording, to appear legitimate. They may claim that a bill is overdue, that an account needs verification, or that a special promotion requires immediate action. Recipients are asked to click a link or provide banking details, after which the funds are diverted to the fraudsters. The utility noted that the use of its branding is intended to exploit the trust that customers have in the company.
Hydro‑Québec advised consumers to verify any email that asks for personal or financial information by contacting the utility directly through its official website or customer‑service phone number. The utility also recommended checking the sender’s email address for subtle misspellings or unfamiliar domains, and to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited messages. Users who suspect they have received a phishing email are encouraged to forward it to Hydro‑Québec’s security team for analysis.
The warning follows a broader trend of cyber‑criminals targeting large, well‑known organizations to increase the credibility of their scams. By attaching the Hydro‑Québec name to fraudulent requests, scammers hope to prompt quicker responses and larger payouts. Hydro‑Québec said it will continue monitoring the situation and will issue further alerts if the pattern persists, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications.