OAKLAND, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In recent weeks, PG&E has received dozens of reports on an emerging scam: utility impostors demanding immediate payment for a SmartMeter deposit to avoid disconnection. As the number of these scam attempts targeting utility customers continue at an alarming rate, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) wants to help customers recognize the signs of a scam so that they can avoid falling victim.
In this latest scam campaign, scammers are contacting customers via both email and phone, falsely telling them that their utility meter needs to be replaced and that immediate payment of a deposit is required to avoid disconnection.
“Scammers are constantly changing their tactics to target unsuspecting victims, and this latest scam campaign is another example of that. Please remember, if you receive a call from someone claiming to represent PG&E who is threatening disconnection if you do not make immediate payment, just hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM or log into your PGE.com account to confirm your account details and balance. PG&E will never ask for you for your financial information over the phone or via email nor will we request payment via pre-paid debit cards or other payment services like Zelle,” said Aaron Johnson, PG&E Bay Area regional vice president.
And while this trend is spiking, it is only part of an increased number of scam reports seen by PG&E during 2022. Year to date, PG&E has received more than 7,200…
