SDG&E Warns Customers about Payment Scam

SAN DIEGO, November 7, 2012 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of an ongoing wire fraud that has been targeting SDG&E customers in Hispanic neighborhoods. Reports indicate that individuals are misrepresenting themselves as utility employee by calling customers and threatening to turn off electric and gas service if an immediate payment is not made. Customers are instructed to purchase a pre-pay credit card, and are directed to another phone number where information is then obtained from the card and the cash value is then removed.

SDG&E wants to warn individuals and businesses of this fraud in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims.  The company assures customers that SDG&E does not proactively contact them and ask for credit card information over the phone.

SDG&E customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. If customers receive a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 1-800-411-7343.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. 

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