Beware: Scammers Posing As PG&E Employees, Petaluma Police Say

PETALUMA, CA — The Petaluma Police Department has received several reports this week about potential scams involving people posing as PG&E employees, prompting police to put out a warning to community members.

"[Such] scammers typically use phone, in-person and online tactics to target customers," Petaluma police said. "They threaten that customers' service will be disconnected or shut off if they fail to make a payment, and typically request a prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment."

The scammers, police said, can be convincing and often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities. The scams are also reportedly aimed at small-business owners during busy customer service hours.

Petaluma police warned community members to never buy a prepaid card to avoid utility service disconnection or shutoff.

PG&E offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, and does not specify which option customers should use, police said. Further, PG&E does not disconnect or shut off service without first notifying customers by mail and on their regular monthly bill.

Residents or business operators who feel threatened by such scammers are advised to hang up the phone, delete the email or shut the door, police said.

"If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911," police said. "If you receive a suspicious telephone call, do not give any account or personal identifying information, such as social security numbers over the telephone."

Customers can call PG&E at 800-743-5000 to check the status of their accounts, police said.