National Consumer Protection Week: PG&E Encourages Customers to Hang Up, Close the Door and Slam the Scam
MWN-AI** Summary
During National Consumer Protection Week from March 2-8, 2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is raising awareness about the ongoing threat of utility scams targeting their customers. In 2025, PG&E reported nearly 24,000 scam incidents, with customers losing about $301,000 to scammers impersonating the utility. With an average loss of $590 per affected individual, PG&E emphasizes that many despicable attempts may go unreported.
Current scam tactics include aggressive phone calls demanding immediate payment to avoid service disconnection. Additionally, a rising trend has emerged where scammers visit customers in person, asking to see their utility bills. PG&E warns customers to be vigilant: “If you receive a threatening call or an unexpected visitor asking to see your bill, hang up, close the door and 'slam the scam.' Always verify any suspicious interactions by contacting PG&E directly,” says Matt Foley, PG&E’s lead scam investigator.
The utility company makes it clear that PG&E will never request financial information by phone or demand payment through prepaid debit cards or money transfer services. They urge customers to recognize key signs of scams, such as threats of immediate disconnection and offers for refunds or rebates that require personal banking information.
To protect themselves, consumers are advised to refrain from purchasing prepaid cards for bill payments and to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited communications. PG&E emphasizes the importance of verifying the identity of door-to-door workers, as genuine company personnel always carry identification.
For more information on safeguarding personal information from scams, customers are encouraged to visit pg&e.com/scams or the FTC's consumer protection site. By staying informed, customers can help protect themselves and their communities from the growing threat of utility scams.
MWN-AI** Analysis
During National Consumer Protection Week, PG&E is highlighting significant concerns surrounding utility scams, particularly as reports of fraud continue to escalate. In 2025 alone, the company recorded nearly 24,000 scam attempts, resulting in over $300,000 in losses for customers—a reminder of the urgent need for heightened consumer vigilance in today's digital age.
The principal advice for consumers is to remain skeptical of unsolicited communication. Scammers frequently impersonate legitimate utility representatives, employing tactics such as aggressive phone calls threatening immediate service disconnections or door-to-door solicitations asking for utility bills. This trend highlights the importance of consumer education in identifying and preventing fraud.
For investors and market analysts, this scenario underscores a potential growth opportunity for companies that specialize in cybersecurity and consumer protection technologies. As utility companies like PG&E actively combat such scams, there will likely be an increased demand for advanced identity verification solutions and fraud detection systems. Technologies that provide real-time alerts or education platforms could gain traction as utilities invest in protective measures for their customer base.
Moreover, understanding regulatory frameworks around consumer protection can enhance investment strategies in related sectors. Companies that prioritize customer education and transparency, like PG&E, may bolster brand loyalty and customer retention, contributing positively to stock performance in the long run.
On a broader scale, as remote operations and online transactions become ubiquitous, businesses must adopt robust security measures to protect their customers. Analyzing trends in consumer behavior towards scams can inform strategic decision-making for financial products, emphasizing the need for risk management and customer awareness to mitigate potential losses. In summary, this week serves as a crucial reminder for consumers and investors alike to prioritize security and remain vigilant against scams.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
National Consumer Protection Week: PG&E Encourages Customers to Hang Up, Close the Door and Slam the Scam
PR Newswire
PG&E customers lost over $300,000 to utility scammers in 2025
OAKLAND, Calif., March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With scams that target utility customers continuing at a high rate, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) joins the Federal Trade Commission in recognizing National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8, to help educate customers on how to spot the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim.
In 2025, PG&E received nearly 24,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost approximately $301,000 in fraudulent payments, with the average customer losing $590. Unfortunately, that number is likely just the tip of the iceberg for overall scam attempts, as many go unreported.
Scammers calling customers by phone and demanding immediate payment to avoid disconnection continues to be the most common scam. But there has been an increase in recent months of customer reports of utility imposters coming to their door and asking to see their PG&E bill, indicating that scammers are adopting new tactics.
"If you a phone call threatening disconnection if you do not make immediate payment, or if someone at your door asks to see your utility bill, hang up, close the door and slam the scam. Then, call our 800 number or log into your account at PGE.com to verify your billing details," said Matt Foley, lead scam investigator for PG&E.
"Remember, PG&E will never ask you for financial information over the phone or for payment via pre-paid debit cards or money transfer services like Zelle, and we won't ask to see your bill at your door," he said.
Small and medium-sized businesses are also a target, and scammers will focus their efforts during busy business hours, preying on business owners' sense of urgency to keep the doors open and the lights on. In fact, PG&E received nearly 850 reports of scam attempts targeting business customers during 2025.
Signs of a potential scam
- Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.
- Asking to see your bill: If someone comes to your home and asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E.
- Request for immediate payment via prepaid debit card or money transfer service: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment, or they may ask for payment via a money transfer service like Zelle.
- Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and then ask you for your banking information.
How customers can protect themselves
Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
If someone comes to your door claiming to be with PG&E, customers should know that PG&E personnel carry identification and are always prepared to show it upon request. If a customer still has doubts, they can call 800-743-5000 to confirm whether an individual is there on official company business. And remember, if someone asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E and you should close the door.
As a reminder, PG&E will never send a single notification to a customer within one hour of a service interruption, and we will never ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications like Zelle or Venmo.
Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.
Scammers Impersonating Trusted Phone Numbers: Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on your phone display. The numbers don't lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if you have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.
Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission's website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information.
For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.org.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
FAQ**
How has Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PCG responded to the $300,000 loss reported by customers due to utility scams within 2025, and what preventive measures are being implemented to reduce these incidents further?
Given the rise in scams targeting both residential and business customers, how is Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PCG planning to enhance awareness during National Consumer Protection Week to better educate these groups?
What resources or informational tools has Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PCG developed to help customers identify and report utility scams effectively, especially during high-risk seasons like National Consumer Protection Week?
In light of the reported scams and customer vulnerabilities, how does Pacific Gas & Electric Co. PCG assess the effectiveness of its communication strategies in reaching vulnerable populations to prevent financial fraud?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (NYSE: PCG).
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