In recent years, the public has become more adept at recognizing phishing scams aimed at gathering sensitive credit card and banking information.

But most people don't consider that crooks might be posing as B.C. Hydro employees.

Today, the Crown-owned utility revealed that there was a record number of attempts to defraud its customers in 2018.

These efforts resulted in $45,000 in losses.

"The scams involve fraudsters contacting customers by phone, email or text and threatening immediate disconnection if a payment is not received," a B.C. Hydro bulletin states. "To avoid disconnection, customers are asked to purchase pre-paid cash or credit cards, or deposit money into a bitcoin ATM.

"Once the fraudsters receive the credit card information or bitcoin currency, the customer is out hundreds if not thousands of dollars."

B.C. Hydro emphasizes that it will never ask for credit card or banking information by phone, email, or text.

It also never accepts bitcoins or prepaid cash and credit card payments.

Customers can always check their account information at bchydro.com.

They're being encouraged to report any fraudulent activities to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.