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Scammers impersonate your electric, gas, or water company, threatening immediate disconnection unless you make an emergency payment — typically via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. They spoof caller ID to display the real utility's number and even replicate hold music and IVR menus.
Annual Losses
Part of broader impersonation scam losses ($789M+ FTC)
Avg Loss / Victim
$500-$3,000
Primary Vector
Phone call, in-person visit, email, text
Peak Season
Extreme weather (winter cold, summer heat)
You receive a phone call, text, or even an in-person visit from someone claiming to be from your electric, gas, or water company. They say your account is severely overdue and your service will be disconnected in 30 minutes to 2 hours unless you make an immediate payment. They demand payment through untraceable methods — gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. The caller ID may show your real utility's phone number (spoofed), and some even replicate hold music.
Hover or tap the highlighted text to see why each element is a red flag.
[Phone call, spoofed utility number] This is a final notice from [Your Electric Company]. Your account ending in 4567Red flag: Generic numbers to seem specific — the scammer doesn't actually know your account details has a past-due balance of $387.42. Your service will be disconnected within 30 minutesRed flag: Real utilities give written notice (typically 10-30 days) before disconnection. 30-minute threats are always fake. unless payment is made immediately. Press 1 to pay nowRed flag: Leads to a scammer, not your real utility company and avoid disconnection.
Threat of disconnection within minutes or hours
Real utilities are legally required to provide written notice days or weeks before disconnection
Demand for payment via gift cards, crypto, or wire
Utilities accept payment through their official website, auto-pay, or by mail. Never gift cards.
Caller demands immediate action with no time to verify
Pressure to act before you can think or verify is a hallmark of scams
Someone shows up at your door demanding payment
Utility workers carry company ID, arrive in marked vehicles, and never demand on-the-spot cash payments
Real utilities send written disconnection notices by mail with a specific due date (typically 10-30 days away) and options to set up payment plans. They never demand immediate payment by gift card or cryptocurrency. You can always verify your account status by calling the number on your actual utility bill or logging into the utility's website.
No. All states require utilities to provide written notice before disconnection, typically 10-30 days. Many states also prohibit shutoffs during extreme weather. A phone call threatening 30-minute disconnection is always a scam.
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