Who: The FTC collects reports of utility and imposter scams.
When to use: Use when someone pretended to be a utility to get payment.
What to prepare:
- Phone number
- What they said
- Amount if paid
FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Impersonation
Utility company shutoff scam
How it often plays out
A caller says they are from the electric or gas company and your service will be cut off in an hour unless you pay immediately by wire or gift card. Real utility companies send notices by mail and do not demand instant payment by gift card. If your service were really at risk, you would have had a letter or a notice on your bill first. Hang up and call the number on your actual bill to confirm your account status.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Hang up and look up your utility's real number on your bill or their official website.
- Call the number on your bill to confirm your account status.
- Report to the FTC and your state Attorney General.
Don't
- Pay by gift card or wire in response to a threatening call.
- Use the phone number the caller gives you.
- Assume the call is real because they know your address.
Summary & what to do
Scammers pretend to be your electric, gas, or water company and threaten to shut off service unless you pay right away. Real utilities do not demand immediate payment by gift card or wire.
What to do right now
- Hang up. Do not pay by gift card or wire. Look up your utility's real number on your bill or their official website.
- Call the number on your bill to confirm your account status.
- Report to the FTC and your state Attorney General.
Where to report
Who: Your state Attorney General may handle utility-related fraud.
When to use: Use to report in your state.
What to prepare:
- What happened