Utility Shutoff Scams: How to Spot a Fake Power, Gas or Water Company

“Your power will be shut off in 30 minutes unless you pay now.” Calls, texts and even door knocks like this are one of the most common imposter scams in the country, and they spike during heat waves, cold snaps and after storms, when losing power, heat or water is the last thing anyone can afford. Real utility companies don’t work this way, and once you know what they actually do before a shutoff, the scam is easy to spot.

This guide explains how utility scams work, the warning signs, how to check your account safely, and where to get real help if you are behind on a bill. It was checked against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on November 6, 2026.

How utility scams work

• The shutoff threat. A caller says you’re behind on your electric, gas or water bill and a crew is on its way to disconnect you unless you pay immediately.
• The overpayment “refund.” You’re told you overpaid and need to give your bank or card details to get a refund.
• The fake technician. Someone in a vest or uniform comes to the door to “replace your meter” or “inspect your lines” and asks for payment or tries to get inside.
• The discount or new-account offer. A caller or door-to-door seller promises a lower rate or a government rebate if you share your account number, or switch suppliers on the spot.
• The barcode or QR code. The FTC has warned about scammers who text a barcode or QR code and tell you to pay at a store counter or kiosk. Your utility won’t send you a barcode out of the blue to stop a shutoff.

Scammers often spoof the caller ID so the call shows the utility’s real name, and some play a recorded hold message that sounds just like the real company.

Warning signs

1. Same-day shutoff threats. The FTC says real utilities won’t demand immediate payment to avoid disconnection the same day.
2. Unusual payment methods. Gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin ATMs, or barcodes and QR codes to scan at a store. The FTC says your utility won’t demand you pay this way.
3. No written notice. Real utilities send written past-due and disconnection notices first, usually more than once.
4. Pressure to stay on the line or not to call anyone else.
5. A visitor who won’t show ID, asks to be paid at the door, or wants to come inside when you didn’t schedule anything.
6. A request for your account number, Social Security number or bank details on a call you didn’t make.

What real utilities do before a shutoff

Rules vary by state and by company, but the FTC notes that real utilities notify you in writing before shutting off service and usually offer a payment plan. Many states also limit shutoffs during extreme heat or cold, or for households with a medical need. If you are behind, the utility would much rather set up a plan than disconnect you.

What to do if you get a call, text or visit

1. Hang up or close the door. You don’t have to explain or argue.
2. Find the real number yourself. Use the customer service number on a paper bill, your utility’s official app, or the website you type in yourself. Don’t use a number from the call, text or a search ad.
3. Check your account. Log in to your account or call the real number and ask if there’s any balance or scheduled visit.
4. Ask for ID at the door. A real worker can show a company ID badge, and the utility can confirm whether someone was sent. Keep the door locked while you call.
5. Report it. Tell your utility, which may warn other customers, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you already paid a scammer

• Contact whoever you used to pay. The FTC advises calling the gift card company, wire service, bank, card issuer or payment app, telling them it was fraud and asking them to reverse the payment. Act fast. Our gift card guide lists what to do for each card.
• If you shared bank, card or Social Security details, call your bank, watch your statements and follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Call your real utility to confirm your account status and ask them to add a note or PIN to your account if they offer one.
• Report it to the FTC and your state attorney general.

Behind on a bill? Real help exists

• Call your utility first. Ask about payment plans, budget billing and hardship programs. Many companies have programs for older adults, people with medical equipment and low-income households.
• Ask about energy assistance. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling bills through state and local agencies. Dial 211 or visit your state’s LIHEAP office to apply. Applying is free; anyone charging a fee to “get you approved” is a red flag.
• Look for weatherization help. Local agencies can sometimes help make a home more energy efficient, which lowers future bills.

Protecting an older parent or neighbor

Utility scammers often call older adults during the day, when they may be home alone. Put the utility’s real number on the fridge next to the phone, and agree on a rule: “If anyone says the power will be shut off, hang up and call me or the number on the bill.” Consider signing up for paperless alerts on their account so you both see real notices. Our guide on stopping scam calls on a parent’s phone can cut down the calls in the first place.

Checklist

• The utility’s real number is saved in my phone and on my bill.
• I never pay a utility by gift card, crypto, wire, payment app or a texted barcode.
• I hang up on shutoff threats and call the real number myself.
• I ask for ID before talking to anyone at the door, and I call the utility to confirm.
• I know my utility’s payment plan and assistance options if I fall behind.

FAQ

Can a utility company shut off my power the same day without notice?

Not for an unpaid bill in normal circumstances. Utilities send written notices first, and state rules set how much notice is required. Emergencies, such as a gas leak, are different, but no one will demand payment to fix them.

The caller ID showed my utility’s name. Is it real?

Not necessarily. Caller ID can be faked. Hang up and call the number on your bill.

Can I pay my real utility bill at a store?

Some utilities do let customers pay in person at approved locations. Find those options on your bill or the utility’s official website, never from an unexpected text or call.

Someone at my door says they need to check my meter. What should I do?

Ask for ID, keep the door locked and call the utility’s real number to confirm the visit. Most meters can be read from outside, and a real worker won’t ask you for money.

Related guides

• Imposter Scams: How to Spot Someone Pretending to Be an Agency or a Company You Trust
• Fake Government and Bill-Pay Sites: How to Find the Real One
• QR Code Scams
• Home Repair and Contractor Scams
• Get Help Now After a Scam or Hack

Sources

• Federal Trade Commission, “Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company,” consumer.ftc.gov, accessed November 6, 2026.
• Federal Trade Commission, “Got a barcode from your utility company to make a payment? That’s a scam,” consumer.ftc.gov, accessed November 6, 2026.
• Federal Trade Commission, “Only scammers demand utility payments in cryptocurrency,” consumer.ftc.gov, accessed November 6, 2026.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), acf.hhs.gov, accessed November 6, 2026.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Shutoff rules vary by state; check with your utility or state utility commission.