A new QR code scam is targeting Bay Area utility customers, leading to significant financial losses, as PG&E warns residents to be vigilant against evolving fraudulent tactics.
A new utility scam is sweeping across the Bay Area, resulting in substantial financial losses for residents in Alameda, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa counties, which are home to large South Asian and Indian American communities. According to a press release from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), thousands of cases have already been reported, with San Jose experiencing the highest number of incidents.
The latest scam involves the use of QR codes and threats of disconnection. So far this year, customers within PG&E’s service area have lost over $211,000 to scammers.
PG&E is actively sharing tips to help customers identify the signs of a scam and avoid becoming victims. The most common tactic involves scammers placing phone calls to PG&E customers, demanding immediate payment to prevent disconnection. In a new twist this year, when scammers threaten disconnection, they send a barcode or QR code via text or email, instructing customers to use these codes to make payments at a store or business.
“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to defraud customers, and the latest ‘barcode scam’ is a prime example of that,” said PG&E lead scam investigator Matt Foley. “What hasn’t changed is that they are still demanding immediate payment of your bill to avoid disconnection. If you receive a call of this nature, hang up. If someone at your door asks to see your utility bill, close the door. Then, call our 800 number or log into your account at PGE.com to verify your billing details.”
Foley emphasized that PG&E never requests financial information over the phone or asks for payments via barcodes, QR codes, pre-paid debit cards, or money transfer services like Zelle. Additionally, PG&E does not conduct home visits to inspect bills.
Financial losses from these scams have been alarming. In 2025, PG&E received nearly 24,000 reports from customers targeted by scammers impersonating the utility, resulting in over $301,000 in fraudulent payments. By mid-2026, customers reported losses exceeding $211,000, indicating a 30% increase in financial losses compared to the previous year. It is important to note that many scams go unreported.
Scammers are also targeting small- and medium-sized businesses during peak hours, exploiting business owners’ urgency to keep their operations running. So far in 2026, PG&E has received 656 reports of scam attempts directed at business customers.
Indicators of potential scams include aggressive demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection, requests to see utility bills, and instructions to make payments via prepaid debit cards or money transfer services. Scammers may also claim that customers are owed refunds or rebates, asking for banking information to process these claims.
To protect themselves, PG&E advises customers against purchasing prepaid cards to avoid service disconnection. The utility offers various legitimate payment methods, including online payments, phone payments, automatic bank drafts, mail, or in-person payments.
If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up, delete the email, or shut the door. PG&E sends advance disconnection notifications to customers with delinquent accounts, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
PG&E personnel always carry identification and are prepared to show it upon request. Customers can call 800-743-5000 to confirm whether an individual is on official company business. It is important to remember that PG&E does not send notifications to customers within one hour of a service interruption, nor does it request payments via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment apps like Zelle or Venmo.
Signing up for an online account at PGE.com can also serve as an additional safeguard. Customers can log in to check their balance and payment history, sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing, and helpful alerts.
Scammers can create authentic-looking 800 numbers that appear on phone displays but do not actually lead back to PG&E. Customers should call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM for verification or contact local law enforcement if they feel threatened.
Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to fraud or feels threatened during contact with scammers should reach out to local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is another valuable resource for information on protecting personal information. More details are available at pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.gov.
According to PG&E, staying informed and vigilant is the best way to combat these evolving scams.