PG&E is partnering with the FTC to help people recognize utility scams
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) -- According to PG&E, costumers lost close to $650,000 in 2024 to utility scammers and as a result, the company is joining forces with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to combat these scams.
National Consumer Protection Week started on March 2 and runs through March 8, and the FTC along with PG&E hope to slow down the increasing scammer rate.
"Scams targeting utility customers continue at an alarming rate," wrote PG&E in a statement on Thursday. "In fact, during 2024, PG&E received over 26,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost $646,000 in fraudulent payments."
PG&E says that this number is likely underrepresenting the actual number of overall scam attempts because so many go unreported.
"The number of reports is continuing at a high level thus far in 2025, as PG&E received over 1,700 reports of attempted scams in January alone, with customers paying scammers nearly $22,000 during the month," said the company.
Across the Central Coast, Monterey County has reported 252 scams, the majority from Salinas with 148 followed by Monterey (30) and Seaside (24).
In Santa Cruz County, a total of 228 scams were reported, the majority being from Santa Cruz (101) and Watsonville (88).
San Benito County reported 40 scams, all of which were from Hollister, according to PG&E.
“Scammers pray on fear and urgency, but knowledge is your best defense," said Vice President for PG&E’s South Bay and Central Coast Region Teresa Alvarado. "If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—verity before you pay."
PG&E is reminding customers that they will never call for the first time within one hour of a service disconnection or ask for customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications like Zelle or Venmo.
PG&E also says that some small and medium-sized businesses can become targets with over 1,200 reports of scams targeting businesses in 2024.
Signs of a potential scam, according to PG&E can include a power disconnection threat, refund or rebate offer, request for immediate payment or for a prepaid card.
Tips for how customers can protect themselves against scammers include completely shutting off communication if a scammer says there's an imminent threat to service; signing up for online service through pge.com; calling PG&E directly at 1-833-500-SCAM if a scam is suspected; don't trust suspicious-looking website payment pages and instead stick with pge.com.
PG&E says that customers who have delinquent accounts will always receive advance disconnection notification usually by mail with their regular monthly bill.
They are asking people who may suspect they've been the victim of fraud or feel threatened because of a potential scam, to call law enforcement.
For more information about scams specific to PG&E, visit pge.com/scams.
