Utility Scam

With the summer coming and heat soaring, phone imposters are now taking advantage of consumers by claiming to be with Southern California Edison (SCE) and fraudulently threatening to disconnect electrical service unless immediate payment is made. Often, the caller tells the unsuspecting customer to use a prepaid debit card to make a payment over the phone. Scammers have also created fake telephone lines with recordings that claim to be “Southern California Edison Disconnection Department.”

Utilities do not call and request payment over the phone. If you suspect a fraudulent call, obtain the name, department, and business phone number, and report the incident to the local police or to SCE at 1-800-655-4555. Never call the number provided by the caller, but instead, call the SCE phone numbers printed on your bill or go to www.sce.com.