PG&E warns of continuing scams across the Central Coast

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) - PG&E is alerting customers of continuing scams that have caused more than $190,000 in losses this year.

The scams in question, according to PG&E, involved a caller claiming to be from the energy company with a threat of immediate disconnection if the payment is not made via a gift card, pre-paid card, or a digital money transfer app like Zelle or Venmo.

The company stated that they would never ask customers to make payments using those cards or forms of transfer.

Of the thousands of scam reports received this year, nearly 200 reports came from counties in the Central Coast.

"Scammers seek to create a sense of panic, threatening disconnection of utility services if immediate payment is not made," said PG&E cybersecurity risk manager Amy Lucido.

Monterey County had 110 reports, followed by Santa Cruz County with 60, then San Luis Obispo with 13, and finally San Benito County with 11.

Here are the numbers at a glance:

• Salinas: 72 reports
• Seaside: 14 reports
• Carmel: 4 reports
• Greenfield: 3 reports
• Soledad: 5 reports
• Marina: 5 reports
• Monterey: 5 reports
• Castroville: 2 reports
• Hollister: 11 reports
• Aptos: 13 reports
• Santa Cruz: 21 reports
• Watsonville:26 reports
• Arroyo Grande: 6 reports
• Cambria: 4 reports
• Morro Bay 3 reports