Southern California Edison (SCE) is sounding the alarm about the latest scams targeting customers, warning that even calls from what appear to be SCE representatives should not be trusted. In an era where technology is rapidly advancing, so too are the tactics used by scammers.

Homeowners and small business owners are particularly vulnerable. According to SCE, there have been nearly 1,300 reports of fraud this year alone, with scammers impersonating SCE employees and resulting in losses totaling over $170,000—averaging about $170 per victim.

One illustrative case shared by SCE involved a scammer who claimed to be acting on work orders that authorized the disconnection of customers’ electric service. This individual pressured the victim for an immediate callback and threatened to remove the customer’s meter if payment wasn’t made right away. SCE provided an audio recording of the scam call: “Hi, this is Kevin from SCE. I’m calling regarding a work request for your property at (address). I’ll be arriving in 30 to 45 minutes to disconnect your meter. I’m calling to confirm that you requested this disconnection. If you didn’t make this request, or if you’re unaware that the service is set to be cut, please contact us at ###-###-##### as soon as possible, and press 1 or 2 to speak to a representative. The case number is #D41612014. Thank you.”

Peggy Garcia, SCE’s information governance representative, emphasizes the importance of vigilance: “If someone calls claiming to be from SCE and pressures you about a past due bill, hang up immediately.” She reassures customers that SCE will never request payment over the phone.

Additionally, she warns that scammers can spoof official phone numbers, so just because a call appears to come from SCE doesn’t mean it is legitimate.

In another deceptive scheme, social media accounts and websites have been offering classes on consumer rights, promising to show customers how to avoid paying utility bills. These fraudsters often charge for these online courses, instructing customers to write “Paid” on their bills and send them to the utility company, falsely believing it will clear their outstanding balance. Garcia clarifies, “This is incorrect. There is no law that allows customers to avoid paying their electricity bills. Attempting this could result in disconnection of service.”

SCE provides some crucial reminders: If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, jot down the number that called you and report it using SCE’s fraud reporting form (https://cloud.sce.com/Fraud_Form). Legitimate utility companies will not abruptly call customers about disconnection, solicit financial information, or demand payment; never disclose personal or financial details over the phone, including your SCE PIN, unless you initiated the call and verified the counterpart’s identity. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push customers into making hasty decisions; SCE guarantees sufficient notice will be given before any disconnection of service occurs.