Tips to Stay Safe from Scams

 

To help you avoid scams, we’ve provided some quick tips below and provided details on some of the more common ones that target utility customers.

Scams

You can always make your online account on My Energy Center safer by ensuring that you have set up 2-factor authentication,
which needs a password and a code to access your account.  

If someone pretends to be from your electric, gas or water company: 

  • Hang up or close the door and call your utility company.  

  • Delete suspicious emails, texts or messages that ask for payments or personal info. 

  • Ignore requests for bank details, passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers. 

  • Don’t give prepaid cards, wire transfers, gift cards or any hard-to-trace payments. 

  • Contact your local police, state attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission if you experience suspicious requests. 

Remember, you can always check your account or pay your bill by logging into My Energy Center directly. 

Phone scams  

SDG&E will never ask for credit card info over the phone. But to help you stay safe, don’t share your energy bill with anyone you don’t know and never share your My Energy Center login details. 

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Spoofing calls 

Caller ID spoofing is when a caller uses special technology to fake or mask their phone number. It looks like the call may be coming from SDG&E, but it's not. The caller might try to sell you something, get your personal info, or say you owe money on your electric or gas bill when you don't. 

Signs of a Spoofing Call: 

  • You get calls multiple times a day. 

  • The caller asks about your electric/gas usage or meter info.  

  • The caller suggests buying alternative energy sources. 

  • The caller asks for your Social Security number, credit card number or other personal info. 

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Phone impersonations 

If you get a call from a person claiming to work for SDG&E and the caller asks for payment over the phone, it’s a scam. SDG&E never calls customers over the phone to get credit card, banking information or pre-paid cash cards. Even if you have a past-due bill, we will always provide a written notice before shutting off service.  Some scammers claim they are part of a government program to help pay utility bills. They give you a fake bank routing number to use online. There is no such program, and your money won’t go to your utility account. 

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Fake customer service numbers  

Scammers have been known to set up temporary phone numbers that sound just like a real customer service or call center number. You may even be greeted with a recording welcoming you to SDG&E and presented with menu options that may seem the same as our Customer Care number. Never use a number given to you by a caller. To reach our Customer Care Center, make sure you are using a number that is listed on our website. Our main Customer Care Number is 1-800-411-7343.  

Email/Text scams 

Email “phishing” is when someone sends a fake email that looks like it came from SDG&E. The goal of these fake emails is to get your personal information. There are even scammers that send emails that look like bills from other utility companies. These emails may have your name or address and look real, but they aim to steal your money. If you receive an email like this, here are steps you can take to stay safe:  

  • Don’t click on any links in the email.  

  • Don’t download any attachments.  

  • Don’t reply to the email.  

  • Don’t provide any information – especially sensitive data like your credit card or social security number.  

Clever scammers have also started targeting customers with text messages. You may get messages that demand payment with a link to pay. Again, we will not send text messages with demands for payment and will always send written notice prior to any shutoff of service.  

Online scams  

Scams are also found in search engines like Google or Microsoft Bing to find a phone number or website for a utility to make a payment. A fake website or phone number may appear at the top of the results, pretending to be SDG&E.  

These fake sites may take your payment or provide a number to call, where they ask for your billing info and credit card details. The money goes to the scammer, not towards your energy bill.  

To avoid these fake sites, follow these tips:  

  • Bookmark our official website, sanmingzhi.net, on your PC or mobile phone. You can always access My Energy Center from our home page to pay your bill online.  

  • Sign up for Auto Pay to ensure your bill is automatically paid each month. It’s convenient, but also helps keep you safe from scammers.  

  • Save our Customer Care number in your phone.  

In-person scams  

Scammers may try to impersonate an SDG&E employee and may even look like they are wearing an SDG&E uniform and try to visit your home or business.  

Be cautious and always check if someone who is claiming to be from SDG&E is a real employee. Here are tips to check that someone is an actual employee:  

  • SDG&E employees must carry a photo ID badge. Don’t be afraid to ask for ID.  

  • Most employees wear uniforms with the company logo, carry an ID badge and drive an SDG&E marked car.  

  • Most visits to your home are for scheduled services. If there is no planned appointment, call our Customer Care number before letting anyone in.  

  • You can always verify an SDG&E employee by calling our Customer Care team.  

You can reach our Customer Care Center at 1-800-411-7343.