PG&E Issues Warning About Rising Fraud Risks
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has raised alarms about a noticeable increase in fraudulent activities targeting its customers, with scammers swindling over $211,000 in the first half of this year alone through fake QR codes and threats of service disconnection.
The utility provider anticipates that customer losses to fraud will rise by about 30% in 2026 compared to last year, as scammers become more adept at masquerading as PG&E employees.
Typically, these fraudsters reach out via phone, text, or email, falsely asserting that individuals are behind on their utility payments and warning that their electricity or gas will be cut off unless payment is made immediately.
During these interactions, victims are often sent a counterfeit QR code, which they are instructed to scan to make payments at local cash registers. Unfortunately, this money goes directly to the scammers instead of PG&E.
The company released a warning after observing a significant rise in financial losses among its clientele. Reports indicated that the average victim has lost roughly $969, a steep climb from the $590 average loss noted in 2025.
Fraud reports have surfaced across PG&E’s operational area, with at least nine cases in Santa Barbara County and three in San Luis Obispo County thus far this year.
Matt Foley, PG&E’s lead fraud investigator, highlighted that scammers thrive on fear and urgency. He advised customers to immediately hang up if anyone threatens to disconnect service and demands urgent payment.
Instead, Foley recommends that customers verify their accounts by visiting PG&E’s official website or reaching out to customer service directly.
PG&E emphasizes that customers should also be cautious of requests for payment via prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrencies, or other unusual payment methods.
Utility firms caution consumers against individuals showing up at their homes claiming to check utility bills or offering unexpected refunds or rebates.
This advisory comes at a time when many Californians are already grappling with heightened utility costs.
Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission’s oversight agency projected that PG&E customers might see their annual gas and electric bills rise by as much as $840 by 2030. Furthermore, households could face an additional increase of 24.5% over the next four years, following a staggering 84% rise since 2016, which has left many residents frustrated.
In response, PG&E contested these predictions, arguing they overlooked factors such as expiring wildfire-related costs and the utility’s efforts to minimize future rate increases.
With many households already feeling the strain of rising utility expenses, PG&E stated that scammers exploit customers’ worries about potential service interruptions.
The company reiterated that if customers receive suspicious phone calls, emails, or messages insisting on immediate payments, they should terminate the conversation and verify their accounts through PG&E’s official channels before sending any money.
