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I ae od 4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 19, 1996 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 'Keep on your toes' to avoid scams From Page 1 company in Toronto, but it is currently disconnected. Police say the bills themselves are not illegal, because they are offering a service and the conditions are set out on the bill. But there is concern businesses will send payment without realizing the nature of the Invoice. Ontario Hydro is warning their customers to check their bills to ensure they are genuine hydro bills before paying them. "Ontario Energy-Electric is not affiliated with Ontario Hydro, members of the Municipal Electric Association or any other recognized utility in the province," a press release from the utility company says. Ontario Hydro is stressing that the invoices are for energy already used, and that the company in question" is not authorized to sell electricity. No one is obligated to pay the bill. The invoice claims Ontario Energy-Electric is a hydro service consisting of a energy-efficient saving plan, designed to reduce costs. With a payment your company is to receive discounts on lighting and other electrical supplies, as well as a copy of an Information Saving Plan including tips on businesses using elec- tricity and energy efficient decisions. In fine print on the invoice it states: "This is an offer to use our services based on the conditions set out on the reverse of the document. You are free to accept or decline this offer." The conditions state that, payment shows acceptance to have your company listed with them. Once listed 1 VCR CLIN ec HEAD CLEANING ec MECHANISM LUBRICATION « TAPE PATH CLEANING » ALIGNMENTS 00 al 28 * Special applies to working VCR's only COUPON VALID: MARCH 18 - 30/96 PICTURE PERFECT TV 72 WATER STREET, PORT PERRY 985-9500 Van Camp & Keller companies shall indemnify Ontario Energy-Electric from charges brought against it as a result of the breach of any applicable laws. This is the second time the bills have made an appearance in the region lately, according to Sgt. Ryrie. They turned up in Whitby six months ago. "These bills seem to be making an annual appear- ance," he said. The bills have also been reported in Metro Toronto, Windsor and Thunder Bay over the past few weeks. Sgt. Ryrie warns residents to be careful all the time. These companies are not really committing a crime, as the conditions are set out on the bill. However, "in large corporations, where dozens of bills arrive at one time, they can easily slip through," he said. Police will investigate a complaint of fraud when someone reports paying such a bill, but most people are embarrassed to admit it when they do, Sgt. Ryrie said. In addition to phony hydro bills, other scams have been making their way across the province. Recently there have been scams using bills similar to Bell Canada and the Yellow Pages. Other fraud cases locally have had offers of cars to people if they send the shipping and handling charges, phony Durham Regional Police fundraisers and Heart and Stroke and Cancer Society raffle tickets that have been photocopied and sold. "It is a big problem. Fraud is alive and well in Canada," Sgt. Ryrie said. "If you want to keep your money safe, you have to keep on your toes," Sgt. Ryrie warned. Over 400,000 graduates recommend Young Drivers of Canada 15 Brock St. W. 'Uxbridge Chartered Accountants Income tax planning and return preparation. Personal tax returns electronically filed. Financial, estate and retirement planning. Personal Tax Returns are being processed now. OFFICE HOURS UNTIL APRIL 30. Monday to Friday 8 - 6, Saturday 9 - 1 204 Casimir St., Telephone: (905) 985-9725 Port Perry Toll Free: 1-800-215-3852 Spring Is TTL _J= ~~ ONTARIO ENERGY-ELECTRIC SEND TO TOTAL DUE $488.12 Pout Perry Star Co Lid IRR Mary St, Port Perry, ON LIL 187 AMOUNT ENCLOSED | CHEQUE FNCLOSED ! | | bowen te sod Bn ees 4d nd om rg eb 4 Ws Scared 0228 96 | CHEQUE PAYABLE TO - ONTARIO ENERGY-ELECTRIC PO POX ARR STATION K 90773259 04M oo I YORONITO, ONTARIO M4P 2G9 BILLING DATE: ACCOUNT »# TEAR HENS PLEASE RETURN TOP PORTION, KEEP BOTTOM PORTION EACLE : ' Ary * : PLEASE NOTE STANDARD DATE | PRESENT DATE | PERIOD OF DAYS RETURN BY MARCH IR, 19% THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAYMENT 122898 0228 96 62 FILE 807778259-04M | cone si0-sn2 oo | warts: 40s |vouis: B 10 801722345 KWH ~ IIYDRO-FNERAY SV 9RRS44 DEC-910-R7R $456.75 TAXABLE(CHARGES-SERVICFS)x(iST RATE ($436.75 - 3000) x OO] $1197 ACCOUNT BALANCE DUE= $488.72 BILLING DATE: 021896 This Is an nllar lor youn or bathe be oie Aes fu 144 os Se rrewiitony sat ont nn tha 1avarse of thin dncument You are leas in acr.apl or dar kina this offer ¥ you accept tha Lame. we require 84 86t oul sbove Otherwise yu are nol CURRENT 0 |pastove: $000 _ _ required 10 make srry payment ONTARIO ENERGY: ELecTiuC PO. 80x ass, STATION K, TORONTO ONTARIO. M4P 2G9 Copy of the 'invoice' being received by local businesses. It resembles an Ontario Hydro bill. G.I.C. FIVE YEAR DJ TAYLOR - INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 169 North St., Port Perry LOL 1B7 Guaranteed Investment Certificates 6.75% "PHONE 985-8416 22 HAUGEN'S IS OPENING =x 8 Thursday, March 21 Drop in soon and try the | best BARBEQUED CHICKEN & RIBS and STRAWBERRY PIE you have ever tasted. HAUGEN'S MANCHESTER WO HWY. 12 & 7A 2. 3 Y COLOR LASER COPIES copy |*3.00°3.50 |°6.00 Additional *4.50 sf. 75 $3.00 Copies 188 Mary St. - Port Perry - ficeCeentre «ifs r i. HAPPY NEW YEAR! The first day of Spring is the Baha'i New i Year, and the members of the Baha'i Faith in Scugog would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. March 21st is also the "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Prejudice". Let's all do our part to promote unity in our lives. "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth... Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch." 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