How to Recognize Utility Company Scams

Scammers pretend to be your electric, gas, or water company threatening to shut off service unless you pay immediately. Learn the warning signs and how to verify real notices.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Know that utilities send written notice first
2.Refuse non-standard payment demands
3.Look up the real number and call back
4.Log into your utility account online
5.Report the scam

Know that utilities send written notice first

~15s

Real utility companies always send written bills and multiple notices before disconnecting service. If you have not received paper mail about a balance due, a call threatening immediate disconnection is almost certainly a scam.

Refuse non-standard payment demands

~15s

Your utility company accepts payment through your account, by mail, or at authorized payment locations. If a caller demands gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment kiosk, hang up immediately.

Look up the real number and call back

~18s

Find your utility company's number on your paper bill or by searching "[Company Name] official contact." Call that number directly and ask whether your account has any overdue balance.

Quick Tip

Save your utility company's official number in your contacts. When a suspicious call comes in, you can quickly verify without searching.

Log into your utility account online

~15s

Go to your utility's official website and log into your account. Check your current balance and payment history. If you see no overdue amount, the call was fraudulent.

Report the scam

~15s

Report utility scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state's Public Utilities Commission (search "[State] Public Utilities Commission" to find the reporting page). Reporting helps protect others in your area.

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Utility scams are year-round threats, but they spike in summer (threats to cut off air conditioning) and winter (threats to cut off heat). A scammer calls claiming to be from your electric, gas, water, or internet provider and says your account is past due and service will be cut off within hours unless you pay immediately.

They direct you to pay using a method that is hard to trace or reverse — gift cards, wire transfer, Zelle, CashApp, or a payment kiosk at a grocery or drug store.

How real utility companies operate

: Actual utility companies send paper bills and multiple written notices before ever threatening disconnection. They do not call demanding same-day payment. They accept payment through normal channels — your online account, mail, or an authorized payment location.

Warning signs

: - Extreme urgency ("Your power will be cut off in 45 minutes") - Unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, PayPal) - A call comes right after a storm, heat wave, or cold snap — scammers time these calls strategically - The caller knows your name and partial account details (easily purchased from data brokers)

What to do

: Hang up. Call your utility directly using the number on your bill or their official website. Log into your utility account online to check your actual balance. If there is no overdue amount showing, the call was definitely a scam.

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