Hold onto your energy bills, Bay Area folks, because scammers are targeting PG&E customers faster than tech bros snatch up overpriced Mission District apartments.

The utility giant just dropped some seriously alarming news: scammers have already swindled Bay Area residents out of a whopping $190,000 this year. Yikes!

The Scam Breakdown

East Bay is leading the fraudulent charge with 971 reported scam attempts, proving once again that we’re trendsetters - even in the shadiest ways possible. North Bay follows with 662 reports, and South Bay chips in with 413. San Francisco, never one to be left out, has logged 260 reports of its own.

How These Scammers Operate

These digital desperados are pulling classic moves: impersonating utility workers and threatening service disconnection if you don’t pay up immediately. Their favorite payment methods? Prepaid debit cards and mobile payment apps - basically the financial equivalent of a burner phone.

Protect Yourself

PG&E’s sage advice? Never give financial info over the phone, verify suspicious communications through official channels, and if something smells fishier than Fisherman’s Wharf, hang up and report it. The average victim loses a gut-wrenching $900, so stay alert, tech-savvy friends.

Remember: PG&E will NEVER ask for your financial details via email or phone. Period. If you feel threatened, don’t hesitate to call local law enforcement or dial 911.