Be on the lookout for potential scams

Published on July 04, 2022

As the number of scams targeting utility customers continues at an alarming rate, PG&E wants to help customers recognize the signs of a scam so that they can avoid falling victim.

During 2022, PG&E has received more than 7,200 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company. That number is on pace to far exceed 2021, when there were more than 11,000 reports for the entire year.

Scammers can be convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities. They also aim their scams at small-business owners during busy customer service hours. However, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams.

Signs of a potential scam

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past-due bill.
• Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card and then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment.
• Request for prepaid card: When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.
• Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that the customer’s utility company overbilled and owes a refund or rebate.
• Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shut-off. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on phone displays. The numbers don’t lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if customers have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM.