CENTRAL COAST — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is warning customers about a new variation of a utility scam that uses barcodes and QR codes to collect fraudulent payments, as reported scam losses continue to rise across the Central Coast and statewide.
Nearly 150 scam incidents have been reported on the Central Coast in 2026, with the highest numbers in Salinas, with 37 reports, followed by Santa Cruz with 24, Watsonville with 19 and Santa Maria with 8.
County-by-county reports include 61 incidents in Monterey County, 67 in Santa Cruz County, seven in San Benito County, nine in Santa Barbara County and three in San Luis Obispo County.
So far this year, PG&E customers have reported losing more than $211,000 to scams through mid-year, with victims losing an average of $969. The company said losses are on track to surpass 2025 totals.
The most common scam involves callers impersonating PG&E employees and threatening immediate disconnection unless customers make an urgent payment. In 2026, scammers have added a new tactic by sending customers a barcode or QR code through text message or email after the initial threat.
Customers are then instructed to take the code to a store or business and present it to a cashier to make a payment.
“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.
“Remember, PG&E will never ask you 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, and we won’t ask to see your bill at your door,” he added.
According to PG&E, customers reported nearly 24,000 scam attempts in 2025 involving individuals impersonating the utility company and lost more than $301,000 in fraudulent payments. The average reported loss was $590.
By mid-year 2026, reported customer losses have already reached more than $211,000, representing a nearly 30% increase in financial losses compared with the previous year’s pace, PG&E said.
The company said the reported losses likely represent only a portion of the total impact because many scams go unreported.
Small- and medium-sized businesses are also being targeted. PG&E said it has received nearly 656 reports of scam attempts involving business customers in 2026, putting the year on pace to exceed the 846 reports received in 2025.
Signs of a potential scam
PG&E said customers should watch for the following warning signs:
- Threats to disconnect: Scammers may demand immediate payment for an alleged past-due bill.
- Requests to see a bill: Anyone who comes to a home asking to see a utility bill is not with PG&E.
- Requests for unusual payment methods: Scammers may ask customers to use prepaid debit cards, money transfer services such as Zelle, gift cards or other payment methods.
- Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may claim a customer was overbilled or is owed a rebate and request banking information.
PG&E reminds customers that they should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection. The company offers multiple payment options, including online payments, phone payments, automatic bank drafts, mail and in-person payments.
Customers who receive a call threatening immediate shutoff without prior notice should hang up. PG&E said customers with delinquent accounts receive advance disconnection notifications, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
If someone arrives at a customer’s door claiming to represent PG&E, the company said employees carry identification and are prepared to show it upon request. Customers with concerns can call 800-743-5000 to verify whether someone is conducting official company business.
PG&E also warned that scammers can create authentic-looking phone numbers that appear to be from the company. The company advises customers with concerns to hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM.
Customers who believe they have been victims of fraud or feel threatened during contact with a scammer should contact local law enforcement. PG&E also recommends visiting pge.com/scams or the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more information about protecting personal information.
