PG&E warns Fresnans of con artists’ emails, phone messages. What the scammers are saying
Scammers are targeting energy users in a new scam sent through email messages and on the telephone, PG&E this week warned its customers in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Bogus messages and calls attempt to convince energy consumers that their utility meter needs immediate replacement, and a deposit is necessary to avoid disconnection from the power grid, according to information supplied from PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles.
PG&E said opportunistic scammers look for times when customers may be distracted or stressed. The energy company said that it never sends a single notification within an hour of a service interruption, never asks for payment with a pre-paid debit card, any form of crypto currency, or other third-party digital payment mobile application.
In 2022, more than 7,200 customers reported scams to PG&E. In 2021, customers lost more that $600,000 in more than 11,000 scam attempts.
To determine if a message came from the energy company, call 833-500-SCAM, or log on to your PG&E account.
