Scammers are Targeting PG&E Customers at an Alarming Rate, Here's What You Need to Know to Not Fall Victim

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE:PCG) has reported that customers have lost over $190,000 to utility scams in 2025. The company has received more than 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers, with over 200 customers falling victim and an average loss of $900 per victim.

PG&E emphasizes that they never demand immediate payment via pre-paid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or mobile payment apps like Zelle or Venmo. The company has identified several common scam tactics, including threats of disconnection, requests for immediate payment, and impersonation of trusted phone numbers. 250 reports specifically targeted small and medium-sized businesses during peak hours.

Positive

• Proactive customer education and awareness campaign about scams
• Clear communication of official payment policies and procedures
• Dedicated scam reporting hotline established at 1-833-500-SCAM

Negative

• Over $190,000 in customer losses to scams in 2025
• More than 10,000 reported scam attempts affecting customers
• Average scam victim loss of over $900
• 250 reported scam attempts targeting vulnerable small businesses

Customers report losses of over $190,000 during 2025

OAKLAND, Calif., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate during 2025, with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers reporting over $190,000 in losses to scammers. To stop this trend, PG&E is committed to helping customers recognize the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim.

A typical sign of a scam targeting a utility customer includes a caller claiming to be from PG&E and threatening disconnection if immediate payment is not made via a pre-paid debit card, digital payment mobile application, or other methods of money transfer. As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption and will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or instant mobile payment applications, like Zelle® or Venmo.

"Scammers seek to create a sense of panic, threatening disconnection of utility services if immediate payment is not made. If a phone call, visit to your home, or email doesn't feel right, don't fall for it. Hang up, shut the door, and do not respond to the email," said PG&E Cybersecurity Risk Manager Amy Lucido. "Remember, PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone or via email, nor will we request payment via pre-paid debit cards or other methods of money transfer, including mobile applications."

So far this year, PG&E has received over 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers with customers reporting losses of over $190,000. The average scam victim lost over $900, and over 200 customers have reported falling victim. This number is likely just the tip of the iceberg however, as many scams go unreported.

Business customers are also not immune from scam attempts. In fact, PG&E has received 250 reports of scams targeting small and medium-sized businesses this year, and these attempts frequently occur during busy business hours when scammers hope to catch unsuspecting victims while they are distracted or stressed.

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, with the right information, customers can learn to detect and report these predatory scams by visiting www.pge.com/scams or by calling 1-833-500-SCAM.

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, 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 your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and ask you for your personal financial information.
• 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 either log into your account at pge.com to confirm your bill details or call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.

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.
  
  
• 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 also sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts. Customers can also call PG&E Customer Service at 800-743-5000 to confirm their bill details and current amount due.
  
  
• 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 https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams.

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 much money have PG&E (PCG) customers lost to scams in 2025?

PG&E customers have reported losses of over $190,000 to scams in 2025, with the average victim losing over $900.

What payment methods will PG&E never ask customers to use?

PG&E will never ask for payments via pre-paid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or mobile payment apps like Zelle or Venmo.

How many scam attempts have been reported to PG&E in 2025?

PG&E has received over 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers, including 250 reports specifically targeting small and medium-sized businesses.

What are the common signs of a PG&E scam?

Common signs include threats of immediate disconnection, demands for immediate payment via prepaid cards, requests for prepaid card numbers, fake refund offers, and scammers impersonating trusted phone numbers.

How can PG&E customers protect themselves from utility scams?

Customers should never purchase prepaid cards to avoid disconnection, verify bill details through their online account at pge.com, and contact PG&E directly at their official number if suspicious. The company always provides advance notification for service disconnection.