Pg&E Door-To-Door Reps: What To Know

PG&E does not send representatives door-to-door to ask for personal information or to switch suppliers. If someone comes to your door claiming to be from PG&E, they are not. Scammers have been known to pose as PG&E employees, asking to see residents' energy bills and personal information, such as account numbers and login details. They may claim that they can save the homeowner money or that the resident is being overcharged. These scammers are often casually dressed, with no uniform, and sometimes have name badges. PG&E advises residents to ask for company-issued identification from anyone claiming to be a PG&E representative and to call their customer service line if they feel uncomfortable.

PG&E does not send reps door-to-door

If someone claiming to be a PG&E representative knocks on your door, do not let them into your home. PG&E does not send its employees to customers' homes to ask for personal information. If you are unsure whether the person at your door is a PG&E employee, ask to see their identification. All PG&E employees carry ID and are willing to show it to you.

If someone claiming to be a PG&E employee has identification and you still feel uncomfortable, call PG&E's customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000 to verify their appointment and/or PG&E's presence in the community. If you feel threatened in any way, you should notify local law enforcement immediately.

PG&E does not go door-to-door asking for personal information. They already have it. If someone says they're from PG&E, or working with PG&E, they're not.

There have been reports of scammers going door-to-door, posing as PG&E employees, and asking to see residents' energy bills. They may claim that they are working on behalf of PG&E and can save the homeowner money if they check their bill and take down the account number, names, address, and other contact information. This is a scam known as a "supplier switch". Even if the scammer only walks away with a name, address, and utility account number, they could illegally switch your providers without your consent.

If you feel pressured to switch to a different energy supplier or you suspect a scam, call the company they claim to represent first to verify, or call PG&E customer service.

Scammers pose as PG&E employees

Scammers posing as PG&E employees have been reported in several cities, including Fairfield, Clovis, and Sacramento. These individuals typically go door-to-door, claiming to be from PG&E and asking to see residents' energy bills or personal information. In some cases, they may even try to enter your home. It is important to remember that PG&E does not have representatives who go door-to-door asking for personal information. They already have this information. If someone claims to be from PG&E or working with them and asks for your bill, they are not being truthful.

• If someone comes to your door claiming to be from PG&E, ask to see their company-issued identification. PG&E employees always carry their identification and are willing to show it to you.
• Never open your door to someone you do not know or are not expecting. If you have a service appointment, check for their ID, marked vehicle, uniform, or other signs that they are from the company you are expecting.
• PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone. Be wary of anyone who does.
• If you feel uncomfortable or threatened by someone claiming to be a PG&E employee, notify your local law enforcement immediately.
• If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a visit or call, contact PG&E's customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000 to verify.
• Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to switch to a different energy supplier or offers you a deal that seems too good to be true.
• Never give your personal information, such as your name, address, account number, or energy bill, to someone you don't know.
• If you suspect a scam, report it to the police and PG&E immediately.

Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

Scammers ask for personal information

PG&E does not send representatives to customers' homes asking for personal information. However, scammers pretending to be from PG&E may knock on doors and ask to see energy bills, account numbers, names, addresses, and other contact information. They may claim that they are working on behalf of PG&E and can save the customer money, or that the customer is being overcharged and they need to see the bill to check.

These scammers may be trying to perform a "supplier switch", where they promise low rates but fail to mention that the lower rate is only introductory, and will result in skyrocketing rates and long-term contracts with high cancellation fees. Even if the scammer only gets a name, address, and utility account number, they could illegally switch your provider without your consent.

Scammers may also try to obtain your personal information by calling or emailing you. They may tell you that your bill is past due and that your power will be shut off unless you make an immediate payment, or that you are entitled to a refund and need to provide account information to receive it. They may also claim that a power shutoff is imminent and ask for personal information to determine if your address will be impacted. PG&E will never request payment by prepaid debit or gift card, or through a money transfer service like PayPal or Zelle.

If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of someone claiming to be from PG&E, you can call the PG&E Customer Service number at 1-833-500-SCAM (1-833-500-7226) to verify.

Scammers may ask to see your energy bill

Scammers may pose as PG&E employees and ask to see your energy bill. They may claim that they are working on behalf of PG&E and can save you money if they check your bill and take down your account number, name, address, and other contact information. They may also use aggressive and intimidating tactics, insisting that you are behind on your electricity bill payments and that your account is delinquent. They may even threaten to shut off your electricity or natural gas immediately if you don't pay up.

These scammers often employ manipulative tactics to confuse and pressure you into showing them your bill. For example, they may spout off some stuff about a proposition that was passed and claim that they need to see your bill to determine if you are being overcharged. They may also use high-pressure sales tactics, telling you that you need to sign up for a special discounted rate right now and discouraging you from reading the fine print.

It's important to remember that PG&E does not send representatives door-to-door to ask for personal information. If someone claiming to be from PG&E asks to see your energy bill, do not show it to them. Protect your personal information and never give out your account number, name, address, or other contact information. Instead, ask for official identification, such as a badge or card with a photo on it. If they are truly from PG&E, they will have ID.

If you encounter a potential scammer at your door, do not engage and call the police. You can also report the incident to PG&E and the local police department to help protect others from falling victim to these scams.

How to spot a scammer

PG&E does not send representatives door-to-door to customers asking for personal information. If someone claiming to be from PG&E knocks on your door, it is likely a scam.

• If you are contacted by someone you don't know, be cautious. Scammers often pretend to be from an organisation you know and trust, such as a utility company, to gain your trust.
• Be wary of anyone who pressures you to act immediately, for example, by telling you that your power will be shut off within the hour unless you make a payment. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make decisions.
• Be cautious if you are asked to pay in a specific way, especially if the requested method is unusual, such as by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
• Be suspicious of anyone who asks for sensitive personal information, such as passwords, PINs, or Social Security numbers.
• If you are unsure, you can contact the organisation directly using a phone number or email address from their official website to verify the person's identity. Do not use the contact information provided by the potential scammer.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off or too good to be true, it might be a scam.

Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any doubts, do not give out any personal information or money, and report the incident to the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions