Utility scams cost Californians more than $211,000 in the first half of 2026, with victims losing an average of $969 each, according to Pacific Gas & Electric. That marks a sharp increase from 2025, when total losses exceeded $301,000 and the average loss was $590 per victim. Scammers are increasingly using texts, emails, and fake QR codes to pressure customers into immediate payment, often threatening service disconnection. PG&E says the highest number of scam reports this year have come from the Bay Area, including Alameda County with 399 cases, Santa Clara County with 372, Contra Costa County with 278, and San Francisco with 176. The utility warns that legitimate representatives will never demand payment via prepaid cards, money transfer apps, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
PG&E CorpArticle reports increased utility scams, which may lead to regulatory scrutiny or reputational harm for PG&E.