Be Aware of Increase in Scams Targeting PG&E Customers as Tax Day Looms Closer

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (NYSE: PCG; AMEX: PCG.PRA) warns customers to be vigilant against a rise in scams, especially as the tax filing deadline approaches on April 18, 2021. The IRS reports that scammers impersonating utility workers are targeting vulnerable populations, leading to significant financial loss. In 2021, PG&E logged over 11,000 scam reports and nearly $600,000 in fraudulent payments. Customers are advised to avoid purchasing prepaid cards and to report any suspicious activity to local authorities. PG&E continues to offer support for financially impacted customers.

Positive

• Ongoing customer support initiatives include extended payment arrangements for those with past due balances.
• PG&E provides multiple secure payment options, promoting customer safety.

Negative

• Over 11,000 scam reports related to impersonation of PG&E employees were recorded in 2021.
• Customers collectively lost nearly $600,000 to scams, indicating a significant vulnerability.

Customers Should Stay Vigilant to Recognize and Avoid Scams as Vulnerable, Seniors, Low-Income Families, non-English Speakers and Small Business Owners are Often Targeted

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With just a few days left until the 2021 tax year filing deadline on April 18, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) warns customers to protect themselves from an increase in scams involving people posing as PG&E employees.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), tax season is a prime time for phone scams, and many scammers impersonating utility workers try to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims to file fraudulent tax returns under their names and collect their refunds. These imposters can be convincing, and often also steal money from gas and electric customers by asking for immediate payment to avoid a service disconnection.

Scammers tend to focus on those who are most vulnerable, and who may be particularly worried about potential disruption of their gas or electric service. While anyone can be a target, scammers often prey on seniors, low-income families, non-English speakers, and small business owners.

During 2021, PG&E received over 11,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost nearly $600,000 in fraudulent payments. Unfortunately, this number is likely just the tip of the iceberg for overall scam attempts, as many go unreported.

Signs of a potential scam

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.
• Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment.
• Request for prepaid card: When the customer calls back, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card’s number, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds.
• 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.

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 at authorized neighborhood payment center locations.

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. As part of our ongoing comprehensive efforts to help customers financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, residential service disconnections for non-payment continue to be paused. In addition, PG&E is automatically enrolling all residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days in new extended payment arrangements.

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, but they can also 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 1-800-743-5000. 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.

For more information about protecting yourself and your family from scams, visit PG&E’s Safety Action Center, the IRS scams alert webpage and www.utilitiesunited.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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220414005648/en/

MEDIA RELATIONS:

415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What steps is PG&E taking to address customer scams as of April 2021?

PG&E is warning customers about an increase in scams and providing tips on how to protect themselves, including avoiding prepaid card payments.

How much money did PG&E customers lose to scams in 2021?

Customers lost nearly $600,000 due to scams impersonating PG&E employees.

What should customers do if they encounter a scam related to PG&E?

Customers should hang up, delete suspicious emails, and report the incident to local law enforcement.

What date is the tax filing deadline that coincides with the increase in scams?

The tax filing deadline is April 18, 2021.

Which groups are primarily targeted by scammers according to PG&E's warning?

Scammers often target seniors, low-income families, non-English speakers, and small business owners.