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Home » PG&E Warns Of Scammers Targeting Customers

PG&E Warns Of Scammers Targeting Customers

by CLAYCORD.com
6 comments

PG&E is warning of scammers masquerading as utility workers trying to steal financial information from customers, file fraudulent tax returns, and then cash the refunds in their names.

On April 13, a PG&E impersonator deceived one customer out of $1,000, which was one of several cases in the past week brought to the attention of authorities. It’s suspected that many victims do not report cases due to embarrassment, officials said.

PG&E does not request financial information over the phone or email, nor would they demand payment for late bills on the spot, said Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Marlene Santos.

“We urge customers to be extra vigilant during this time as criminals will use the tax filing deadline to create fear and scam unsuspecting victims, especially when a group of people is vulnerable or in a state of need,” Santos said.

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PG&E lists several signs that suggest a customer might be dealing with a scammer. This includes a false representative pressuring a client for immediate payment for a past due bill, threatening to disconnect a customer’s account due to a 30-day lapse in payment, instructing a customer to buy a pre-paid card then encouraging them to make a payment, or offering a rebate or a refund for a bill.

Customers who suspect they are dealing with a scammer should contact law enforcement or www.pge.com/scams or www.utilitiesunited.org.

6 comments


Nope! May 11, 2021 - 10:30 AM - 10:30 AM

I got one of these calls yesterday and immediately knew it was a scam attempt – so I played with them until they figured it out and hung up on me.

Doh May 11, 2021 - 1:03 PM - 1:03 PM

+1 –They hate it when you waste their time. The Amazon refund scammers won’t even talk to me anymore.

Dorothy May 11, 2021 - 11:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Landline and no caller ID so unless they can identify themselves as May/BeSo from XYZ I hang up. Another way is when I answer and there is a pause before anyone comes on, I know it’s a scam call. I stay on long enough to find out if it’s just another recording or not before hanging up.

Anon May 11, 2021 - 11:34 AM - 11:34 AM

Not sure Why you wouldn’t immediately hang up and call PG&E?

People call PG&E for EVERYTHING (including things which have nothing to do with the Utility) so why not call when it’s related to your bill??

Sam Malone May 11, 2021 - 12:11 PM - 12:11 PM

Can people figure this out on their own. Don’t talk to any entity unless you know them or have placed a call to them.

Dawg May 11, 2021 - 12:39 PM - 12:39 PM

There’s usually a pause because the call is voice activated, if you don’t say “hello” the call will end. Another reason is that the caller wants to verify your number. By answering the call you just confirmed your number is active and that a live person answered the phone. Never say “hello” or be the first person to speak, let the caller speak first, if you don’t know who it is, hang up without saying a word.


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