PG&E customers see spike in scams

In San Francisco, 260 reports have been filed, while other notable cities like San Jose and Oakland have also seen a significant uptick in scam attempts.

PG&E says scammers often impersonate utility workers, claiming that immediate payment is needed to avoid service disconnection. Victims are pressured to make payments through methods such as prepaid debit cards or mobile payment apps, which PG&E never uses for billing.

The typical victim loses more than $900, with more than 200 customers reporting they have fallen for these fraudulent schemes. PG&E officials suspect the actual number of scams is even higher, as many customers do not report the incidents.

Business owners in the Bay Area have also been targeted, with 250 reports of scams aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. Scammers often exploit busy times, hoping to catch people off guard during peak customer service hours.

To protect themselves, PG&E advises customers to never make payments via prepaid debit cards, verify any suspicious communications through their official online accounts, and report suspected scams immediately.

Customers can call PG&E’s scam tip line at (833) 500-SCAM or visit pge.com/scams for more information. PG&E recommends that anyone who feels threatened by scammers should contact local law enforcement or dial 911.