Fake PG&E reps prey on elderly in Petaluma

In the latest scam to ring alarm bells in Petaluma, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning residents that fraudsters, posing as utility workers, are attempting to dip into ratepayers’ pocketbooks.|

In the latest scam to ring alarm bells in Petaluma, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is warning residents that fraudsters, posing as utility workers, are attempting to dip into ratepayers’ pocketbooks.

Customers in the Petaluma area have reported receiving calls from people who falsely claim to represent the utility, individuals who demand immediate payment for allegedly late electricity bills, according to a PG&E announcement. The impostors reportedly threaten customers with shutoff of service if they do not make immediate payment, and demand the money via a prepaid cash card such as Green Dot or a PayPal card, the utility said.

The hope of fraudsters is to obtain the cards and pocket the cash.

“They’re trying not to leave a trace,” said Lt. Tim Lyons of the Petaluma Police Department.

The scam is one of a myriad of criminal strategies that have come to the forefront in Petaluma, where the police department and its burgeoning volunteer program are working in new ways to educate elderly residents in particular on the risks of fraud.

A report by police showed fraud cases to have risen in each of the past four years in Petaluma, from 282 in 2012 to 402 in 2015. Police also receive multiple calls a day reporting fraud, involving schemes that include fraudulent contests, criminals posing as Internal Revenue Service representatives and a supposed distant relative in need of bail from a foreign jail.

In the past, police have also investigated burglary cases in which the suspects reportedly wore PG&E uniforms, Lyons said. He cautioned residents to be wary of suspicious behavior from those who claim to be acting on behalf of PG&E, and encouraged those unsure of a situation to call the utility or their local police department.

According to PG&E, the utility’s credit department will not ask for personal information or a credit card number over the phone. Customers should ask to see valid identification before allowing a supposed PG&E representative inside of their home.

Customers with an appointment receive automated calls 48 hours before the appointment, or a personal call prior to a gas service visit, according to PG&E. Those with concerns about the legitimacy of a call, or of a worker’s credentials, can contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

“PG&E takes the security of its customers seriously and cooperates with law enforcement to protect its customers,” said John Ghigliazza, senior manager of PG&E’s Sonoma division, in the announcement.

(Contact Eric Gneckow at eric.gneckow@arguscourier.com. On Twitter @Eric_Reports.)

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.