TLDR
Caller spoofs utility number, claims account is 60+ days past due and power/gas will be shut off within 30 minutes unless victim pays via prepaid card (Vanilla, Green Dot MoneyPak), Bitcoin ATM or Zelle. Hits small businesses near closing...
How it works
Caller spoofs utility number, claims account is 60+ days past due and power/gas will be shut off within 30 minutes unless victim pays via prepaid card (Vanilla, Green Dot MoneyPak), Bitcoin ATM or Zelle. Hits small businesses near closing...
Red flags
- Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.
- A link or sender that does not match the official organization.
- Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What to do
- 1IF VICTIM: contact prepaid card issuer (Green Dot 1 866 795 7597) immediately to attempt freeze; report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and state public utility commission; alert utility's billing department.
Source
FAQ
Is Utility shutoff scam — fake ConEd / PG&E / Duke disconnection call a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.; A link or sender that does not match the official organization.; Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What should I do first?
IF VICTIM: contact prepaid card issuer (Green Dot 1 866 795 7597) immediately to attempt freeze; report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and state public utility commission; alert utility's billing department.
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.