PG&E to Customers: Beware of Scammers Taking Advantage of COVID-19 Fears
20 März 2020 - 3:06AM
Business Wire
Among Other Scams, Perpetrators Using
“Spoofing” Technique to Simulate PG&E Phone Numbers
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of potential scam
phone calls or emails threatening to shut off power if a payment is
not made.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, PG&E’s Corporate Security
department has received several reports regarding scammers
requesting payment on past due utility bills immediately with a
debit card. PG&E has also seen an increase in “spoofing,” which
is when the incoming call appears to come from a PG&E telephone
number.
“It’s alarming that people are trying to capitalize on the
pandemic and people’s fears. Unfortunately, that’s the reality with
scammers. We’ve seen a steady stream of scam calls recently and are
reminding customers that PG&E will never ask for personal
information or a credit card number over the phone,” said James
Murphy, Senior Director, Corporate Security at PG&E.
Last week, PG&E announced that in response to the COVID-19
pandemic, it has voluntarily implemented a moratorium on service
disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately. This
suspension applies to both residential and commercial customers and
will remain in effect until further notice. Customers should assume
that any threat related to a disruption in service for non-payment
is a scam.
Earlier in the year, PG&E started seeing a new scam trend
with the request becoming more detailed. Scammers include specific
names of customers, and in some cases, guessing general dollar
amounts owed. They are also disguising their true phone numbers
with a caller ID that says “PG&E” or “Pacific Gas &
Electric.”
Other scam phone call tactics include:
- Notifying residents that they are eligible for a federal tax
refund related to their utility bill
- Trying to sell services related to solar evaluation
- Claiming to represent a PG&E initiative to sell a product
in order to gain access to their home
PG&E offers the following tips to help protect customers
from all types of potential scams:
- PG&E’s Credit Department will not ask for personal
information or a credit card number over the phone. Anyone who has
received such a phone call and provided credit card or checking
account information should report it immediately to the credit card
company or bank and law enforcement.
- Other types of scams that can impact customers include online
“phishing” where scammers seek personal or financial information,
as well as in-person scams where scammers pose as an electric or
gas employee.
- Customers with concerns about the legitimacy of a call about a
past due bill, service request or request for personal information
are encouraged to call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
- Customers should always ask to see identification before
allowing anyone claiming to be a PG&E representative inside
their home. PG&E employees always carry their identification
and are willing to show it to you.
- If you feel threatened in any way, notify local law enforcement
immediately.
PG&E takes security seriously and will actively work with
law enforcement to help stop any scam victimizing customers. Anyone
who has received such a call can report it immediately by calling
PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visit www.pge.com/scams.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers
some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in
Northern and Central California. For more information, visit
www.pge.com and www.pge.com/news.
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