PGE billing scams are on the rise, with the East Bay leading the way for fraud reports

PG&E customers in the Bay Area are increasingly targeted by utility scams, with reported losses surpassing $190,000 this year. The company has received over 2,500 reports of fraudulent activities, primarily in the East Bay region, which accounts for 971 cases. Scammers threaten victims with immediate service disconnection, creating a sense of urgency to make payments through methods PG&E does not use. Victims typically lose an average of $900, and PG&E officials suspect the actual scam rate is higher due to underreporting. Business owners are also affected, with 250 reports aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises.

PG&E urges customers to verify any suspicious outreach through their official accounts and to report incidents promptly. The utility's Vice President, Jake Zigelman, reassures customers that PG&E will never request financial information via phone or email. To combat this rising issue, PG&E encourages anyone feeling threatened by scammers to contact local law enforcement.