Dodge power shutoff scams during heatwave | Scam of the Week

CHICO — Good Lord this is going to be a rough week.

Since most of us probably have no intentions of leaving our homes this week thanks to upwards of 113-degree temperatures, many of us might find ourselves with more screen time. This seems like a good opportunity to remind folks of scams that always tend to ramp up during heatwaves: power shutoff scams.

No doubt I’ve written about this one before, but it’s worth revisiting since I’m sure we’ll all be getting these calls and text messages throughout the week.

It goes like this, someone calls pretending to be with PG&E claiming that the target owes some balance and that their power is going to be turned off if they don’t pay up. This weather isn’t just miserable, it’s potentially dangerous. So it would be easy to want to react quickly, especially if the heat is messing with your head.

Don’t do it. The caller will want you to send the money in some shady way — such as the fan-favorite gift cards — only to run off with it. You’re electricity was never in danger to begin with.

These are opportunistic scams and scammers have access to the forecast just like us, so be ready and expect a call. I’ll tell you right now, you don’t have to do or say anything to them. You can hang up the call. Most likely, it will be a robot on the other end spouting out a pre-recorded message, but even if it is a person and they are being persistent, feel free to hit that little red button without so much as a goodbye.

If you do have any concerns about your PG&E bill, you can call the company directly at 1-877-660-6789.

I know I always say this but this week and likely more weeks to come I really want to emphasize it, stay safe out there folks. Check on your kids, elderly family members, anyone who might be high-risk or need aid, pets and farm animals. Stay hydrated, don’t over-exert yourself and please, please don’t do anything that could set off a fire.

Until next time.

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Scam of the Week generally runs every Tuesday. Readers are welcome to contact reporter Jake Hutchison to report scams and potential scams they have come in contact with by calling 828-1329 or via email at [email protected].