Fraudsters across Nova Scotia have recently ramped up schemes pretending to represent Efficiency Nova Scotia, often under the guise of free energy audits, rebates, light bulbs, or heat pump installations. Don’t fall for it—these calls and emails are scams designed to steal personal information or money .
🚨 Official Warn‑Outs from Efficiency Nova Scotia
- The organization has publicly informed residents they’ve received reports of individuals impersonating their staff via phone calls and emails .
- Their Important Notice page explicitly states contractors are misrepresenting themselves as affiliated, offering rebates and services under false pretenses .
- Multiple social media alerts highlight increasing predatory and misleading sales tactics—often aggressive cold‑calling or door‑to‑door pitches .
🗣️ Real Stories from Nova Scotians
On Reddit, a Halifax user described phone calls from people claiming to be from a “Nova Scotia Rebate Office”:
“Got a call from #902‑201‑6907 from Someone claiming to be representing the ‘Nova Scotia Rebate Office’. He said I was approved for $500‑$6000 of energy rebates… I haven’t lived at that address since 2003.”
Another Redditor chimed in:
“There are a lot of scams… cold calling, trying to take advantage of confused homeowners, often elderly ones.”
Scammers are targeting homes—especially those with ongoing rebate or assessment projects.
🔍 Spotting the Impostors
Look for these red flags:
- Cold calls or unsolicited emails referencing rebates or audits
- Pitches involving rebates for appliances or installations, often heat pumps
- Wrong or outdated address/name information
- Salespersons pressuring for immediate decisions or upfront deposits
- Communication from generic email addresses (e.g., Gmail) rather than official domains
Efficiency Nova Scotia will never insist on payment before services, nor claim exclusive affiliation without proof .
✅ Protect Yourself—Quick Tips
- Verify directly through official sources—visit the Efficiency Nova Scotia site or phone number before responding.
- Check email headers or phone numbers for legitimacy.
- Ask for credentials or written documentation, and confirm them independently.
- Refuse immediate payments—real programs won’t force you.
- If in doubt, report it: inform Efficiency Nova Scotia, local consumer-protection offices, or call police if confronted at your home.
📝 Final Takeaway
Scammers pretending to be from Efficiency Nova Scotia—or even Nova Scotia Power—are using high-pressure tactics to exploit rebate programs. Be cautious: verify before you engage. If it smells fishy, hang up and check.
If you’d like help reviewing a suspicious call, email, or claim, I’m happy to walk you through it.