Full Notification

Incident Summary:
 
Over the past few days, several reports of potential scams have been reported to the police department.  Scammers have been posing as PG&E employees and demanding immediate payment or their utility service will be disconnected.  Scammers typically use phone, in-person and online tactics to target customers.  They threaten that customers’ service will be disconnected or shut off if they fail to make a payment, and typically request a prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment.  Scammers can be convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities.  They also aim their scams at small business owners during busy customer service hours.  Utility 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 offer a variety of ways to pay a bill. 
 
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. Customers can also call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911.
If you receive a suspicious telephone call, do not give any account or personal identifying information, such as social security numbers over the telephone.  There are currently other scams taking place, such as Lottery Contest Winner calls, a relative arrested in a foreign country requesting bail, payment for an outstanding warrant or traffic fine, and telephone solicitation for some chartable cause.  If you have any questions, please call the police department at 707-778-4372.