National Consumer Protection Week: PG&E Encourages Customers to Hang Up, Close the Door and Slam the Scam

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E (NYSE:PCG) highlights rising utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2026) and urges customers to "hang up, close the door and slam the scam." In 2025 PG&E received nearly 24,000 scam reports and customers lost about $301,000 (average loss $590), with ~850 reports targeting businesses.

The company warns that scammers demand immediate payment, request prepaid cards or money transfers, and may impersonate PG&E at the door or via spoofed 800 numbers. Customers are advised to verify by calling official numbers or logging into pge.com.

Key Figures

Customer scam losses 2025: $301,000 Reported scam attempts: 24,000 reports Average loss per customer: $590 +1 more

4 metrics

Customer scam losses 2025 $301,000 Fraudulent payments reported by PG&E customers in 2025

Reported scam attempts 24,000 reports Customer reports of scammers impersonating PG&E in 2025

Average loss per customer $590 Average fraudulent loss for affected PG&E customers in 2025

Business scam reports 850 reports Scam attempts targeting PG&E business customers in 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $19.00 Vol: Volume 25,232,564 vs. 20-...

normal vol

$19.00 Last Close

Volume Volume 25,232,564 vs. 20-day average 21,815,466 (relative volume 1.16x). normal

Technical Price $19.00 trades above the 200-day MA at $15.56.

Peers on Argus

PCG is up 0.64% with peers ED, WEC, DTE, ETR and PEG also positive (0.16%–1.29%)...

PCG is up 0.64% with peers ED, WEC, DTE, ETR and PEG also positive (0.16%–1.29%), indicating a broader regulated-utility bid rather than stock-specific trading.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 25 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 25	Customer tool launch	Positive	-0.1%	Launched Clean Energy Calculator to model customer electrification costs and savings.
Feb 20	Dividend declaration	Positive	+1.4%	Declared Q1 2026 common and preferred stock cash dividends.
Feb 13	Storm preparedness	Positive	+3.4%	Mobilized crews and resources ahead of a multi‑phase winter storm.
Feb 12	Earnings and guidance	Positive	+2.7%	Reported 2025 EPS and tightened 2026 guidance with cost and wildfire progress.
Feb 09	Safety advisory	Neutral	-0.3%	Warned about metallic balloon outages affecting customers in 2025.

Pattern Detected

Recent news skewed operational and financial, with mostly positive price alignment on earnings, dividends, and storm-preparation updates.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, PG&E issued operational updates, customer tools, and financial results. On Feb 11, the 10-K detailed 2025 revenues and wildfire-mitigation capex. Earnings on Feb 12 highlighted $1.18 GAAP EPS and tightened 2026 guidance, with a positive price move. Subsequent safety and customer-focused releases, including outage preparedness and a clean energy calculator, saw mixed but generally modest reactions. Today’s scam-awareness announcement fits this pattern of customer-protection communication.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights scam risks facing PG&E customers, citing nearly 24,000 impersonation re...

Analysis

This announcement highlights scam risks facing PG&E customers, citing nearly 24,000 impersonation reports and about $301,000 in 2025 losses. It outlines common tactics, such as demands for immediate payment or use of prepaid cards and digital transfers, and directs customers to verification channels and law enforcement. In context with recent safety and customer-focused releases, investors may watch ongoing customer outreach and its role in protecting payment integrity and brand trust.

Key Terms

prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency

2 terms

prepaid debit card financial

"Request for immediate payment via prepaid debit card or money transfer service"

A prepaid debit card is a payment card loaded with a set amount of money in advance and used like a regular debit card, but it is not linked to a bank account; think of it as a refillable gift card that works anywhere cards are accepted. Investors care because issuers can earn fees and hold customer funds between loading and spending, creating a source of revenue, customer relationships, and regulatory or credit risk that can affect profitability.

cryptocurrency financial

"any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications"

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital money that uses special computer codes to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. Unlike traditional cash, it exists only electronically and isn't issued or regulated by any government or bank. For investors, it represents a new form of asset that can be used for transactions or held as an investment, often with the potential for high gains but also significant risks.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

PG&E customers lost over $300,000 to utility scammers in 2025

OAKLAND, Calif., March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With scams that target utility customers continuing at a high rate, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) joins the Federal Trade Commission in recognizing National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8, to help educate customers on how to spot the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim.

In 2025, PG&E received nearly 24,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost approximately $301,000 in fraudulent payments, with the average customer losing $590. Unfortunately, that number is likely just the tip of the iceberg for overall scam attempts, as many go unreported.

Scammers calling customers by phone and demanding immediate payment to avoid disconnection continues to be the most common scam. But there has been an increase in recent months of customer reports of utility imposters coming to their door and asking to see their PG&E bill, indicating that scammers are adopting new tactics.

"If you a phone call threatening disconnection if you do not make immediate payment, or if someone at your door asks to see your utility bill, hang up, close the door and slam the scam. Then, call our 800 number or log into your account at PGE.com to verify your billing details," said Matt Foley, lead scam investigator for PG&E.

"Remember, PG&E will never ask you for financial information over the phone or for payment via pre-paid debit cards or money transfer services like Zelle, and we won't ask to see your bill at your door," he said.  

Small and medium-sized businesses are also a target, and scammers will focus their efforts during busy business hours, preying on business owners' sense of urgency to keep the doors open and the lights on. In fact, PG&E received nearly 850 reports of scam attempts targeting business customers during 2025.

Signs of a potential scam

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.
• Asking to see your bill: If someone comes to your home and asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E.
• Request for immediate payment via prepaid debit card or money transfer service: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment, or they may ask for payment via a money transfer service like Zelle.
• Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and then ask you for your banking information.

How customers can protect themselves

Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. 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.

If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.

If someone comes to your door claiming to be with PG&E, customers should know that PG&E personnel carry identification and are always prepared to show it upon request. If a customer still has doubts, they can call 800-743-5000 to confirm whether an individual is there on official company business. And remember, if someone asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E and you should close the door.

As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption, and we will never ask 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.

Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.

Scammers Impersonating Trusted Phone Numbers: Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on your phone display. The numbers don't lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if you have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission's website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.

For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.org.    

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

 

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

How many scam reports did PG&E (PCG) receive in 2025 and what were losses?

PG&E received nearly 24,000 scam reports in 2025 and customers lost about $301,000. According to the company, the average victim lost $590, and many incidents likely go unreported.

What payment methods will PG&E (PCG) never request from customers during a call or visit?

PG&E will never ask for payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or third-party apps like Zelle or Venmo. According to the company, legitimate billing is available online, by phone, automatic draft, mail, or in person.

What should a PG&E (PCG) customer do if someone demands immediate payment over the phone?

Hang up immediately, then verify your account by calling PG&E or logging into pge.com. According to the company, customers receive advance disconnection notices by mail, not sudden one-hour warnings.

How can business customers protect themselves from utility impostor scams targeting PCG accounts?

Business customers should verify requests and avoid urgent payments to unknown callers, then contact PG&E to confirm. According to the company, nearly 850 business-targeted reports were filed in 2025, showing scammers prey on busy owners.

What should I do if someone comes to my door claiming to be from PG&E (PCG)?

Ask for company identification and, if unsure, close the door and call PG&E at 800-743-5000 to confirm. According to the company, PG&E personnel always carry ID and will show it upon request.

How can customers verify suspicious PG&E (PCG) phone numbers that appear on caller ID?

Do not trust caller ID alone; hang up and call PG&E directly at the official number provided by the company. According to PG&E, scammers can spoof authentic-looking 800 numbers that do not trace back to PG&E.