SDG&E Consumer Fraud Warning | East County Magazine

June 6, 2024 (San Diego) — To protect its customers, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to a recently documented text message scam attempting to defraud local utility customers. The scam exploits SDG&E’s legitimate use of text messages and email notifications to notify residential customers of work orders such as meter replacements, meter readings, and testing.

This is how it works

This scam begins with a text message (see attachment) that contains an SDG&E logo and states that there is an immediate work order to shut off power at the address on file. The scammer asks the customer to call a scammer-operated call center to confirm the work order. When the customer makes the call, they briefly hear a recorded message: “Welcome to the SDG&E call center, you are first on hold.” After hold music, a real scammer tries to demand immediate payment to prevent the power shutoff.

Target customers are encouraged to pay using untraceable Bitcoins, Zelle, Green Dot debit cards, or other non-traditional forms of payment that SDG&E does not use. The loss is further magnified by target customers being repeatedly told that payment did not go through and may unwittingly repeat the financial transaction. Victims are told to keep trying as any amount overpaid will result in an expedited refund. Losses can be enormous.

Those most vulnerable to fraud are restaurant owners, small businesses, homeowners associations, the elderly and people who speak little English. Fraudsters target victims whose livelihoods depend on a constant supply of electricity. For example, fraudsters have called restaurant owners just before lunchtime to put pressure on them. The owner, who is suffering from a lunchtime rush, complies with the fraudulent payment requests.

To avoid becoming a victim, follow these tips:

• SDG&E will never call and demand immediate payment over the phone under threat of immediate suspension of service.
• SDG&E never accepts payments over the phone – any person requesting payment over the phone is a scammer.
• The only payment options for utility bills are My Account, a branch, or an authorized payment location.
• SDG&E does not accept prepaid debit cards, Zell, Green Dot or Bitcoin for bill payments.
• The utility company will never ask for cash in person.
• Never give your electricity and gas bill details to people you don’t know.
• Never give anyone your login information for online utilities.
• Never use the callback number of an unknown caller. You can always find the official contact details in verified sources.
• Talk to older family members and friends about utility fraud to make sure they don’t become victims.
• Remember, you can check your bill and payment history at any time at sdge.com/MyAccount.

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