Scammers work year-round to defraud people, and sometimes these con artists pretend to be SDG&E customer service professionals. The following tips can help protect you and your family from utility scams.
Phone Impersonation
Criminals who impersonate utility companies such as SDG&E often threaten to take immediate and drastic actions, such as shutting off power, as a way to extract money from victims.
If you receive a phone call from a person claiming to work for SDG&E and the caller asks for payment over the phone, it is a scam. SDG&E never proactively contacts customers to get their credit card, banking or other financial information over the phone. Even if you have a past-due balance that needs to be paid, remember we will always provide past-due notices in writing before shutting off service.
Caller ID-Spoofing
One of the especially convincing techniques that con artists use is known as caller ID spoofing. This technique involves the caller disguising his real identify by deliberately falsifying the information being transmitted to your caller ID. Usually, the caller alters the caller ID information to make it look like someone legitimate is calling. For example, in the case of utility scams, the criminals would make it look like SDG&E is calling.
If you are suspicious or made uncomfortable by anyone claiming to be with SDG&E, hang up and call our main customer service line at 1-800-411-7343.
Ask for Company ID
From time to time, we hear about people dressed in what appears to be an SDG&E or service uniform, visiting our customers’ businesses and homes. The fake employees tell the customer they need to perform a routine inspection. Then one of the imposters distracts the customer while the other steals cash and other valuables.
Next time someone claiming to work for SDG&E seeks to enter your home or business, check to make sure that person is wearing a real SDG&E uniform and ask to see the company identification card. Look to ensure that person arrived in a SDG&E-marked company vehicle.
If you are still suspicious, please call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343.
Don’t be the Next Victim
New scams arise every day. Arm yourself with information by visiting sdge.com/avoid-scams so you don’t become the next victim. If you believe you might have been a victim of fraud, please call us immediately at 800-411-7343 to report it.