A caller ID scam is committed when someone pretends to represent PG&E via your phone’s caller ID. A caller ID scammer:
- Can appear to call from a real PG&E number such as 1-800-743-5000
- Often asks for sensitive information or even access to your home
PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone.
If you have doubts about an incoming call from PG&E, hang up and call PG&E Customer Service at 1-833-500-SCAM (1-833-500-7226).
Note: If you gave someone your credit card or checking account information over the phone, report it to the credit card company or bank and law enforcement.
Common telephone and caller ID scams:
Scam: "Your bill is past due. Your power will be shut off within the hour unless you make an immediate payment."
Debunk: PG&E will never threaten to shut off your power in this way. PG&E provides many avenues to avoid shutoff. To get help with your bill, go to Financial assistance.
Scam: "Pay your PG&E bill with a gift card, MoneyPak® Card or through a payment app such as Venmo or Zelle®."
How to protect yourself: PG&E will never request payment by these methods. To see PG&E’s approved payment methods, go to Ways to pay my PG&E bill.
Scam: "We are a third-party vendor with a tool or service that provides insight into your energy usage. Give us your PG&E account number, login information, or Social Security number."
How to protect yourself: Vendors do not need this information to get your usage data. To learn how vendors get usage data (with your permission), go to Share My Data.
Scam: "You’re entitled to a PG&E refund and/or discount, a federal tax refund, or owe past-due balances to PG&E."
How to protect yourself: PG&E will never call you with offers like these. To get help with your bill, go to Financial assistance.
Scam: "A power shutoff is about to happen. Provide your personal information to learn if your address will be affected."
How to protect yourself: PG&E will not call and request your personal information if a power shutoff is about to happen. To find out if your address is affected by a power shutoff, go to the Outage Center.
Scam: "I represent PG&E. Can I sell you a product or service and eventually gain entrance to your home?"
How to protect yourself: PG&E representatives will never call you to sell a product or service. When in doubt, call hang up and call PG&E Customer Service at 1-833-500-SCAM (1-833-500-7226).