HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Dave Sunday is urging Pennsylvania residents to remain vigilant as a sophisticated wave of utility-related scams spreads across the Commonwealth. Fraudsters are increasingly utilizing high-tech "lures," including fraudulent websites and online advertisements, to trick customers into revealing sensitive financial data or making unnecessary payments under duress.
According to a consumer alert issued this week, one of the most common tactics involves "spoofed" websites that appear at the top of search engine results for terms like "pay my utility bill" or "utility customer service." When a customer clicks these links, they are often directed to a professional-looking site that mimics the branding of legitimate providers like PPL, UGI, or PECO. Once on the site, customers may be prompted to call a fraudulent number where scammers, posing as customer service agents, use high-pressure tactics—such as threatening immediate service termination—to demand payments via unconventional methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or apps like Zelle and Venmo.
Attorney General Sunday emphasized that residents should never trust caller ID alone or rely on the top results of a general web search for contact information. To protect themselves, consumers are advised to access their utility company’s website by typing the official address directly into their browser, which is typically found on their physical monthly bill. Legitimate utility companies will never require immediate payment through gift cards or digital cash apps, and they are legally required to provide a 10-day written notice before any service termination for non-payment.
Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a utility scam or who may have inadvertently shared personal information is encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Complaints can be filed online at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-800-441-2555. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, the safest course of action is to hang up and call the customer service number listed directly on your utility bill.