New QR Code Scam Targets Bay Area Customers Warns PG&E

A new utility scam targeting customers across the Bay Area has resulted in significant financial losses to residents of Alameda, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa counties – home to large South Asian and Indian American diaspora communities. According to a PG&E press release, thousands of cases have already been reported, with San Jose reporting the highest number of cases.

The latest scam involves a QR code and a threat of disconnection. So far this year, customers across our service area have lost over $211,000 to scammers.

PG&E is sharing tips to help customers spot the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim to it.

The most common scam involves scammers placing a phone call to PG&E customers with a demand for immediate payment to avoid disconnection. In a new twist this year, when scammers call customers to threaten disconnection, they send a barcode or QR code via text or email and instruct the customer to use them and 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. 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,” said PG&E lead scam investigator Matt Foley.

He reminded customers that PG&E never asks for financial information over the phone or for payment via bar code, QR code or pre-paid debit cards or money transfer services like Zelle, nor do they make home visits to inspect bills.

Financial losses

In 2025, PG&E received nearly 24,000 reports from customers targeted by scammers impersonating PG&E; they lost over $301,000 in fraudulent payments . By mid-2026, customers reported over $211,000 in losses to utility scammers, representing a 30% increase in financial losses by year’s end. PG&E notes that many scams go unreported.

Scammers also target small- and medium-sized businesses during busy business hours, preying on business owners’ sense of urgency to keep the doors open and the lights on. So far in 2026, PG&E has received 656 reports of scam attempts on business customers.

Signs of a Potential Scam

Indicators of fraudulent activity include:

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.
• Asking to see the bill: If someone comes to your home and asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E.
• Request for immediate payment via prepaid debit card or money transfer service: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment, or they may ask for payment via a money transfer service like Zelle.
• Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and then ask you for your banking information.

How Customers Can Protect Themselves

PG&E advises customers not to purchase prepaid cards to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, or shut the door.

PG&E sends customers with delinquent accounts an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.

PG&E personnel always carry identification and are prepared to show it upon request. A customer can call 800-743-5000 to confirm whether an individual is there on official company business.

Anyone that asks to see the bill is with PG&E.

PG&E does not send notifications to customers within one hour of a service interruption, nor does the company ask customers to make payments with a pre-paid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or third-party digital payment mobile applications like Zelle or Venmo.

Signing up for an online account at PGE.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.

Scammers are able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on phone displays but the numbers do not lead back to PG&E. Customer should call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM for verification or call 911 if they feel in physical danger.

Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact anyscammers should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a source of information about how to protect personal information. More details are available at pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.gov.

This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.