Stay Safe From Scams
To help you avoid scams, we’ve provided some quick tips and details on some of the more common ones that target utility customers.
Your safety matters. Strengthen your online security by enabling two-factor authentication on your My Energy Center account. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring both your password and a unique verification code to log in.
If someone contacts you claiming to be from your gas, electric or water company, and something feels off—trust your instincts:
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Hang up or close the door. Then call your utility company using the phone number on your energy bill or on sdge.com.
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Delete suspicious messages. Emails or texts asking for payments or personal information should be ignored.
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Never share sensitive details. This includes your bank account info, passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security number.
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Avoid untraceable payments. Scammers often ask for prepaid cards, wire transfers or gift cards - don't send them.
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Report suspicious activity. Contact your local police, your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Remember, you can always safely manage your account or pay your bill by logging into My Energy Center directly.
Phone Scams
SDG&E will never ask for your credit card information 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.
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 information, or say you owe money on your electric or gas bill when you don't.
Signs of a Spoofing Call:
- You get multiple calls in 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.
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 numbers, 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.
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 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 information 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, sdge.com, 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 it also helps keep you safe from scammers.
- Save our Customer Care number in your phone, 1-800-411-7343.
Digital Payment Scams
Watch out for digital payment scams on platforms such as Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay. SDG&E will never call or send a message demanding payment. If you receive a message or payment request from a digital payment platform, it is a scam.
Credit/Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo and PayPal payments can only be made through My Energy Center or by calling SDG&E’s Customer Care Center directly.
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 at 1-800-411-7343.