Jun 30, 2026
Utility scams are becoming harder to spot — and more expensive to fall for.
In the first half of 2026 alone, victims of utility-related scams lost an average of $969 each for a total of $211,000 in losses over just six months, according to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). That marks a sharp increase from 2025, when customers reported more than $301,000 in total losses, with an average of $590 per victim.
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The figures highlight a growing trend: Scammers aren’t just relying on old tricks like robocalls and fake invoices anymore. They’re evolving — and so are the ways people are losing money.
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The scam is evolving
Once upon a time, utility scams followed a fairly predictable script. Someone would call, claim to be from the power company, warn that a bill was overdue, and insist on immediate payment to avoid a shutoff. But PG&E says that old playbook is changing.
Instead of relying only on phone calls, scammers are now turning to texts, emails, and even fake barcodes or QR codes to pressure customers into paying up. In many cases, victims are told their service will be disconnected unless they act right away, then instructed to scan a QR code or take a barcode to a physical store to complete the payment.
The problem is that once that payment is made, the money doesn’t go to the utility company — it goes straight to the scammer.
It’s part of a broader shift in how these scams work. Instead of just pretending to be a utility worker over the phone, scammers are now using tools that can look surprisingly legitimate at first glance.
PG&E says scam reports aren’t evenly spread across the state. So far this year, the highest numbers have come from the Bay Area, including Alameda County (399 cases), Santa Clara County (372), Contra Costa County (278), and San Francisco (176).
Moneywise has reached out to PG&E for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.
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What are the signs of a scam?
While the tactics are changing, PG&E says the warning signs remain relatively consistent, often centering on pressure, urgency and unusual payment methods.
Among the most common red flags:
- Threats of immediate shutoff or urgent payment demands, with scammers claiming service will be disconnected within hours unless money is sent right away.
- Requests to inspect or “see” your bill in person, even though PG&E says legitimate employees don’t show up asking to review customer paperwork.
- Pressure to use prepaid cards or money transfer apps, including instructions to buy prepaid debit cards or send funds through services like Zelle or Venmo.
- Demands for cryptocurrency or gift cards, which are difficult — if not impossible — to trace or recover once sent.
- Fake refund or rebate claims, where victims are told they’re owed money but must first provide banking information.
PG&E emphasizes that legitimate representatives will never demand payment in these forms or under these conditions. The AARP also warns that scammers rely heavily on confusion and urgency, hoping customers act before taking time to verify the request.
Why these scams are working — and getting harder to spot
Utility scams aren’t anything new, but several factors are making them more effective right now.
For one, households are under more financial strain. With energy costs continuing to climb in California, a sudden “overdue bill” or urgent payment notice may feel more believable than it used to. PG&E has said the average household bill is expected to rise by about $128 a year for gas and electricity service, adding to already elevated costs.
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At the same time, the way people pay bills has changed. Instant transfers through apps like Zelle and Venmo, along with mobile banking, have become routine — and that normalization is exactly what scammers are banking on. Once money is sent through one of these services, there’s often very little chance of getting it back.
QR codes add another layer of risk. Unlike a suspicious phone call, a QR code can look routine or even official, especially when it’s tied to something like a bill or payment notice. But once it’s scanned, victims are often taken to pages designed to closely mimic legitimate utility payment portals.
And then there’s time. These scams work because they don’t give people much of it. A threat of disconnection or an urgent deadline is usually enough to push someone into acting first and checking later — and that pause to think twice is exactly what gets skipped.
PG&E and other utilities continue to urge customers to slow down, confirm any unexpected requests directly through official channels, and avoid sending money through unfamiliar links, apps, or codes.
As the tactics evolve, officials say the basics still matter most. If something feels rushed, unusual, or out of step with how your utility normally communicates, it’s worth stopping to double-check before paying.
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Laura Grande is a freelance contributor with nearly 15 years of industry experience. Throughout her career she's written about and edited a range of topics, from personal finance and politics to health and pop culture.
