San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) Utility Scam

A San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) utility scam is making the rounds. The company is receiving a high number of reports from customers that are getting calls threatening to disconnect their service.

Who Is It Targeting: SDGE utility customers

What Is It: SDGE utility scam where scammers call customers, posing as SDGE and threatening to disconnect service for non-payment

What Are They After: Utility scams are nothing new, but they do tend to have seasonal ups and downs. When the weather is especially harsh—both hot and cold temperatures, for example—the bad guys know potential victims are more likely to act rashly, panicked at the thought of losing electricity, gas or water. In the case of the SDGE utility scam, scammers are threatening customers with their service being disconnected.

How Can You Avoid It:

• If you are called by anyone who says you owe money, STOP and think
• In the case of a company where you maintain an account, verifying the matter is really simple
• Never make a payment over the phone to someone who contacts you; instead, thank them and take down their information, then go directly to that company yourself (online, by phone or in-person) and verify the situation

SDG&E customers can learn more here: http://sdge.com/scams

If you think you may be a victim of identity theft or a scam, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for toll-free, no-cost assistance at 888.400.5530.

Find more information about current scams and alerts here.