SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is joining utilities throughout North America to make customers aware of telephone, mail, email and door-to-door/in-person scams that involve criminals posing as utility company representatives and demanding immediate payment or personal information. The “Utilities United Against Scams” collaboration has designated November 16 as “Utilities United Against Scams Day.” This day will be supported by a week-long campaign, beginning November 14, with information focused on exposing the tricks scammers use to steal from customers, and how customers can protect themselves.

“The safety and security of our customers is the foundation of how we operate, so it’s heartbreaking when you hear about people being affected by these types of scams,” said Deb Affonsa, vice president, PG&E Customer Care. “Awareness is a key part of stopping this type of crime and we are working hard to continue getting the word out to our customers.”

The North American-wide collaborative encourages the public to share these messages to help guard against scam activity.

To date in 2016, PG&E has received more than 2,400 scam reports. Scammers continue to employ increasingly more sophisticated tactics to exploit customers. PG&E continues to work with law enforcement agencies that are conducting investigations as well as supporting ongoing efforts to help educate customers about scams.

Scam Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself

• A scammer tells the customer his or her account is past due and service will be disconnected if payment isn’t made through prepaid cash card – usually within an hour.
• PG&E never requires a customer to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection. Customers behind on their bill receive multiple advance disconnection notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection. Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
• Hang up on suspicious calls. Contact local police on their non-emergency number and then call PG&E.
• Never dial phone numbers scammers provide or assume caller ID is accurate. Scammers use sophisticated systems where they can mimic caller ID that appears to be PG&E’s number.
• An in-person scammer wears a hard hat, an orange vest and holds a clip board and asks to see your utility bill or to be let inside your home.
• If someone is at your door claiming to represent PG&E and is unwilling to show their ID or is otherwise making you uncomfortable, don’t let them in and call local law enforcement immediately. PG&E employees carry identification and are always willing to show it to you.
• Expect to receive an automated call from PG&E 48 hours before a scheduled visit. You may also receive a personal call from a PG&E gas service representative before a scheduled visit. You can also call PG&E to verify an appointment.
• A scammer sends an email that demands immediate payment, asks for financial information or contains suspicious links.
• Beware of emails requesting your personal information. Never click on suspicious links or open attachments that demand immediate payment or financial information.

Customers who suspect or experience fraud, or feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local authorities and then PG&E 1-800-743-5000.

For more information visit www.pge.com.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and pge.com/news.

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