Utility Shutoff Scams
A caller claims your electricity, gas, or water will be shut off today unless you pay immediately.
How the scam works
Someone calls claiming to be from your utility company and says your account is past due.
They say service will be disconnected within the hour unless you pay right now.
You are told to pay using a gift card, prepaid card, or cryptocurrency, and to stay on the phone while you do.
Common warning signs
- You are told the shutoff will happen today or within the hour.
- Payment is requested by gift card, prepaid card, or cryptocurrency.
- You are pressured to stay on the phone during the entire payment process.
- The caller asks you not to hang up and call your utility company to check.
What to do
- Hang up, or end the text conversation.
- Call your utility company using the number on a past paper bill or their official website.
- Ask them directly whether your account is past due.
What not to do
- Do not pay with gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Do not stay on the phone with the caller while you try to verify the claim.
- Do not use a phone number given to you by the caller.
Example message
Unknown
FINAL NOTICE: Amount Due: $1,285.00. Due Date: Immediately.
Never call a phone number contained in a suspicious message. Instead, use the official phone number printed on your card, statement, or the organization's official website.
When to contact Senior Signal
If you get a call or notice threatening a same-day shutoff, contact Senior Signal before paying anything. We will help you sort out whether it is real.