Phone Scam: Utility Company Threatening to Shut Off Power Today
Someone called claiming to be from your electric, gas, or water company saying your service will be disconnected within the hour unless you make an immediate payment, often by prepaid debit card or gift card. Utility companies send written notices before disconnection and never demand immediate payment by phone using untraceable methods.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Utility Companies Send Written Notices Before Disconnection
Utility companies send written disconnection notices and never demand immediate payment by phone using prepaid cards or gift cards.
Note: This scam typically arrives via phone call, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For phone scams, report to the FTC — see all reporting agencies.
Someone calls claiming to be from your electric, gas, or water company saying your service will be disconnected within the hour unless you make an immediate payment. They often demand payment by prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer — methods that are untraceable and non-reversible.
Utility companies are required to send written notices before disconnection. They provide payment plan options and do not demand immediate payment by phone using unusual payment methods. According to the FTC, utility impersonation scams are a commonly reported fraud type, with scammers exploiting the fear of losing essential services.
Red Flags
- Caller threatens immediate disconnection of your power, gas, or water
- Demands payment within the hour — real utilities provide written notice
- Requests payment by gift card, prepaid card, or wire transfer
- Caller creates extreme urgency — pay now or lose service
- Caller ID may be spoofed to show your utility company's number
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Hang up immediately
- Call your utility company using the number on your bill
- Check your account online through your utility's official website
- Remember that utilities send written disconnection notices
- Report the call to the FTC
Sources
- FTC Consumer Advice — How To Avoid Imposter Scams — Utility impersonation scam warnings
- FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023 — Government and business impersonation fraud data