A phone scam involving fake BC Hydro employees is making the rounds, targeting consumers and businesses in the Lower Mainland. 

The scam artists claim the customer’s hydro bill is overdue and if they don't pay immediately their power will be shut off.

The owner of Danica’s Café in downtown Vancouver recently became a victim of the scam after receiving a call during her brunch rush.

“They said we are going to shut your power off if you don't go down and pay the BC Hydro bill immediately in half an hour, you have 30 minutes to do it," said the café’s owner Maja Zdanowski.

The caller instructed Zdanowski to go to a nearby Safeway and put $1,000 on a reloadable Visa card, then scratch off the back and phone in the serial number so the money could be instantly accessed.

Zdanowski says the caller was aggressive, but sounded legitimate. He had her cell phone number, business information, address, account number. She had just taken over ownership of the café, and was desperate to keep it open, so she did what the caller demanded. Shortly after she discovered she had been scammed.

“I felt so stupid. I felt really devastated and mad, pissed off and I wanted to get these guys," she said.

BC Hydro tells CTV News that over 1,200 people have been targeted by the scammers in B.C., most in the Lower Mainland.

"Once the money's gone, it's gone forever, and unfortunately in some cases, our customers have been out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars," said Mora Scott, BC Hydro spokesperson. 

BC Hydro says its employees never request banking or credit information over the phone and never accept payment from prepaid credit or cash cards. if your hydro bill is past due, You'll receive several notices by mail or email before the power is shut off.

The good news is, Zdanowski contacted All Trans Financial Services Credit Union, who sells the prepaid Visa card she purchased. After explaining the situation, it agreed to refund her $1,000.

Safeway stores in Metro Vancouver are also posting signs over the pre-paid Visa cards, warning customers about the hydro scam.

If you get a suspicious call claiming to be from BC Hydro, you can report the call to 1-800-BCHYDRO, your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.