Scams targeting PG&E customers are on the rise in Los Altos and beyond, according to company officials. Through emails, texts, phone calls and even in-person interactions, these scammers are trying to separate PG&E customers from their money.
“What scammers are really trying to do is catch anyone at a moment when they might be a little bit distracted or stressed,” said Jason King, PG&E marketing and communications representative. “… they prey on that and create a false sense of urgency to try to fraudulently secure funds from the victim.”
According to the PG&E scams webpage, frequent scams include being asked to pay in unconventional ways such as with prepaid debit cards, gift cards and third-party mobile payment applications.
While the scammers are reaching out to potential victims in myriad ways, King said the most common method is phone calls. He added that scammers ask customers for login information that could give them access to their money. They often use scare tactics to get the caller to comply.
“If you ever receive a call where somebody’s threatening immediate disconnection (of PG&E services) if you don’t make immediate payment, and then they’re asking for your personal financial information, just hang up,” King said. “You can then log into (your PG&E) account and confirm your account details and status.”
According to King, PG&E is working with its investigative team and law enforcement to target scammers. To help with this effort, King urged residents to report scams.
While King did not have the number of recently reported scams, he noted that last year PG&E received 55 reports from Mountain View customers and 11 from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents.
To report scams and for more information, visit pge.com/scams.
