Pacific Gas and Electric Company reports increases in scam activity
Company reports more than 21,000 scam attempts in 2025
– Pacific Gas and Electric Company is encouraging customers to “slow down, verify and stop the scam” in recognition of Utility Scam Awareness Day on Nov. 19.
According to the company, scammers continue to target customers during the holiday season, often demanding payment to prevent immediate service disconnection. These attempts are typically made by telephone but also occur online or in person.
Reports of scams targeting Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers have remained high throughout 2025. The company said there have been more than 21,000 reports this year, with customer losses totaling nearly $300,000 and an average loss of $670.
“Scammers will try to create a false sense of urgency to pressure customers by threatening immediate disconnection of your utility services if immediate payment is not made,” said Matt Foley, lead scam investigator for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “Remember, Pacific Gas and Electric Company will not contact you for the first time within one hour of service disconnection, and we will NEVER request payment by a pre-paid debit card or via online payment services like Zelle or Venmo. If a call doesn’t feel right, hang up, and log into your account at PGE.com or call our customer service line to verify your billing details.”
Small and medium-sized businesses are also being targeted. The company has received nearly 700 reports of scam attempts involving these customers during 2025.
“Scammers continue to evolve their tactics, often using urgency and threats to pressure customers into making rash decisions,” said Utilities United Against Scams Executive Director Monica Martinez. “The ‘Slow Down, Verify, Stop the Scam’ framework is a simple, powerful tool designed to cut through that pressure, giving customers the confidence to pause and confirm any suspicious request before it’s too late.”
The company outlined steps customers can take to avoid scams. Customers should slow down by hanging up immediately if they receive a call threatening disconnection and demanding immediate payment. The company stated it will never call to request payment information over the phone or ask customers to pay using a pre-paid debit card, Zelle, Venmo or other money transfer services. Customers with delinquent accounts will receive advance disconnection notices by mail, included with their regular monthly bill.
Customers should verify their account status by logging into “My Account” at PGE.com or by calling customer service at (800) 743-5000. Customers are advised not to use any phone number provided by a suspected scammer.
Customers should stop the scam by reporting the incident immediately by calling (833) 500-SCAM, visiting PGE.com/scams and contacting local law enforcement. Reporting helps Pacific Gas and Electric Company identify trends in scam attempts and educate customers about prevention.
The company said signing up for an online account at PGE.com can help customers monitor balances, payment history, recurring payments, paperless billing and alerts.
Scammers have also been impersonating trusted phone numbers. The company said scammers can now create authentic-looking 800 numbers that appear on caller ID but do not lead back to Pacific Gas and Electric Company when called. Customers who doubt the authenticity of a call should hang up and call (833) 500-SCAM. If customers feel they are in physical danger, they should call 911.
Customers who believe they have been victims of fraud or who feel threatened during contact with a scammer should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website provides additional information on protecting personal information.
More information about scams is available at PGE.com/scams.
