Report a utility scam
Last updated September 19, 2026
The short answer
Report a utility disconnection threat to your utility and the FTC
The utility scam is a call threatening to cut off your power today unless you pay immediately. The FTC puts it plainly. A real utility company will not demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection.
What they handle
- Calls threatening same-day disconnection
- Demands for payment by gift card, wire, crypto or payment app
- Barcodes sent to pay a utility bill at a store
- People posing as your TV or internet provider
How to file a report
- 1
Hang up and call the number on your bill
Contact the company yourself using the number on your bill or its own website. Never the number that called you.
- 2
Report it to your utility and the FTC
The FTC asks you to report utility company impersonators both to your utility company and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- 3
Use the payment method as the test
Scammers ask for wire transfers through Western Union or MoneyGram, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or gift card numbers. No utility takes payment any of those ways.
- 4
Do not use a barcode you were sent
The FTC has warned about barcodes sent by a supposed utility to pay at a store. A real bill does not arrive that way.
What you'll need
- Your account number
- The number that called you
- The gift card numbers or transfer reference, if you paid
What to expect
Your utility can confirm your real balance in a minute, which usually ends it. A gift card or wire payment is close to unrecoverable, so call the card issuer or wire service immediately.
Frequently asked questions
They said the truck was on its way to disconnect me. Could that be real?
No. The FTC says a real utility will not demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection. Urgency is what stops you checking your balance.
Company guide
Utility Companies scams
Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating Utility Companies actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.
Read the guide →