Utilities Commission warns of scammers offering rebate from electric company

GONZALES, Calif. (KION) The Gonzales Police Department has shared information about a new scam reported by the California Public Utilities Commission.

The commission said scammers cold-call people with spoofed numbers that often have the same prefix of the intended victim's phone number. When the person answers, they hear a recording saying the call is an apology from their electric company.

The caller then reportedly offers a rebate due to overcharging, and if the intended victim stays on the line, a live caller comes on to get bank information.

The commission said there is no active rebate program being offered by any major utility in the state right now, and usually the programs are offered in the form of bill credits.

The California Public Utilities Commission suggests hanging up immediately if you receive one of these calls.