PG&E Customers Face Surge in Scam Losses
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 days ago
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Rising Customer Losses: By mid-2026, PG&E customers have reported over $211,000 in scam-related losses, reflecting a nearly 30% increase from 2025, with an average loss of $969 per victim, highlighting the escalating threat to customer finances.
- Emerging Scam Tactics: The new 'barcode scam' in 2026 involves scammers sending barcodes or QR codes via text or email for payment, which not only increases customer vulnerability but also showcases the evolving complexity of fraudulent schemes.
- Business Customers Targeted: PG&E has received nearly 656 reports of scam attempts against business customers in the first half of 2026, on track to surpass the 846 reports from 2025, indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly susceptible during busy hours, affecting their operations.
- Prevention Recommendations: PG&E advises customers against making payments via prepaid cards or third-party services, emphasizing that the company will not send notifications within an hour of service interruptions, urging customers to verify any suspicious requests through official channels to safeguard their financial security.
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Analyst Views on PCG
Wall Street analysts forecast PCG stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 16.440
Low
18.00
Averages
21.36
High
25.00
Current: 16.440
Low
18.00
Averages
21.36
High
25.00
About PCG
PG&E Corporation is a holding company. The Company's primary operating subsidiary is Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the Utility), a public utility operating in Northern and Central California. The Utility is engaged in the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to customers. The Utility generates electricity and provides electric transmission and distribution services throughout its service area in northern and central California to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers. The Utility provides electricity, transmission, and distribution services in its service area. The Utility owns approximately 18,000 circuit miles of interconnected transmission lines operating at voltages ranging from 60 kilovolts (kV) to 500 kV. The Utility also operates 33 electric transmission substations with a capacity of approximately 67,000 megavolt amperes (MVA). Customers can also obtain electricity from alternative providers such as municipalities (CCAs).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Alliant Energy Benefits from Economic Growth and Regulated Structure
- Customer Base Expansion: Alliant Energy has secured a new 370-megawatt electric service agreement in Iowa, raising its total contracted data center load to approximately 3.4 gigawatts, significantly enhancing revenue visibility and supporting sustained growth opportunities.
- Capital Investment Strategy: The company plans to invest $13.4 billion from 2026 to 2029, with about 72% directed toward clean energy and storage projects, thereby driving 12% rate-based growth, enhancing system reliability, and promoting sustainable profitability.
- Economic Development Boost: Ongoing economic development in Alliant Energy's service areas is increasing customer demand, reducing reliance on any single customer segment, which enhances earnings stability and creates favorable conditions for strong financial performance.
- Compliance Risk Management: Although the company operates under stringent federal and state environmental regulations, rising compliance costs may not be fully recoverable from customers, and any noncompliance or regulatory changes could adversely affect financial performance.
See More
PG&E Launches Bill Assistance Program for Customers
- Program Impact: PG&E's Match My Payment program has provided nearly $30 million in assistance to over 78,000 customers since its inception, significantly alleviating financial burdens for families struggling with overdue energy bills.
- Funding Commitment: In 2026, PG&E expanded its bill relief efforts by committing $50 million to programs including Match My Payment, aiming to further support low-to-moderate income households and prevent service disconnections.
- High Demand Areas: PG&E has distributed over $12.5 million in bill assistance across Fresno, Kern, and San Joaquin counties, highlighting the urgent need for financial support in these regions and reflecting the economic pressures faced by families.
- Comprehensive Support: Eligible customers can receive up to $1,000 through Match My Payment and an additional $800 through the REACH program, totaling up to $1,800 in assistance, thereby enhancing support for low-income families facing energy bill challenges.
See More
PG&E Customers Face Rising Scam Losses in 2026
- Rising Customer Losses: As of mid-2026, PG&E customers have reported over $211,000 in scam-related losses, averaging $969 per victim, highlighting the severe financial threat posed by these scams to consumers.
- Emerging Scam Tactics: A new 'barcode scam' has surfaced in 2026, where scammers threaten immediate disconnection over the phone and send barcodes or QR codes via text or email, instructing customers to make payments at stores, making it easier for victims to fall prey.
- Increased Business Targeting: PG&E has received nearly 656 reports of scams targeting business customers in the first half of 2026, on track to surpass 846 reports from 2025, indicating that small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable during busy hours, impacting their operations.
- Prevention Recommendations: PG&E advises customers against using prepaid cards for bill payments, emphasizing that the company will never request payment information over the phone or at the door, urging customers to verify information through official channels to safeguard their financial security.
See More
PG&E Customers Face Surge in Scam Losses
- Rising Customer Losses: By mid-2026, PG&E customers have reported over $211,000 in scam-related losses, reflecting a nearly 30% increase from 2025, with an average loss of $969 per victim, highlighting the escalating threat to customer finances.
- Emerging Scam Tactics: The new 'barcode scam' in 2026 involves scammers sending barcodes or QR codes via text or email for payment, which not only increases customer vulnerability but also showcases the evolving complexity of fraudulent schemes.
- Business Customers Targeted: PG&E has received nearly 656 reports of scam attempts against business customers in the first half of 2026, on track to surpass the 846 reports from 2025, indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly susceptible during busy hours, affecting their operations.
- Prevention Recommendations: PG&E advises customers against making payments via prepaid cards or third-party services, emphasizing that the company will not send notifications within an hour of service interruptions, urging customers to verify any suspicious requests through official channels to safeguard their financial security.
See More
PG&E Provides Resources to Help Households Manage Summer Cooling Costs
- Cooling Cost Management: PG&E anticipates above-average temperatures this summer, with households spending up to $29 billion annually on air conditioning, prompting the company to provide resources to help customers lower energy costs while ensuring safety and comfort.
- Energy-Saving Tools and Programs: The introduction of ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save California customers between $50 and $78 per year, while the Automated Response Technology (ART) program adjusts energy use during peak demand, enabling effective energy management for customers.
- Budget Billing and Bill Forecasting: Customers can evenly spread their annual energy costs through the Budget Billing program and sign up for Bill Forecast Alerts at no cost, allowing them to receive notifications if their bills exceed a set amount, thus avoiding unexpected expenses.
- Income-Eligible Assistance Programs: PG&E offers a Medical Baseline program for eligible customers, ensuring those with medical needs receive additional energy allotments and priority shutoff notifications, thereby alleviating financial burdens for vulnerable populations.
See More
PG&E Launches Summer Energy Savings Programs
- Summer Energy Initiative: PG&E anticipates above-average temperatures this summer, encouraging customers to utilize energy-saving tools and discounts to help households reduce the approximately $29 billion spent annually on air conditioning, thereby alleviating financial burdens.
- Smart Thermostat Technology: By promoting ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats, customers can save between $50 and $78 annually, while PG&E's Automated Response Technology (ART) adjusts energy use during peak demand, enhancing energy management efficiency.
- Budget Billing Program: PG&E's budget billing program helps customers spread energy costs evenly throughout the year, preventing bill shocks, while providing bill forecast alerts to notify customers when their bills exceed set amounts, thereby enhancing financial control.
- Low-Income Assistance Programs: PG&E offers various assistance programs for low-income customers, including monthly discounts of 20% to 35% on electricity and one-time bill credits of up to $800, aimed at helping these households better manage energy costs and improve their quality of life.
See More
Alliant Energy Benefits from Economic Growth and Regulated Structure
- Customer Base Expansion: Alliant Energy has secured a new 370-megawatt electric service agreement in Iowa, raising its total contracted data center load to approximately 3.4 gigawatts, significantly enhancing revenue visibility and supporting sustained growth opportunities.
- Capital Investment Strategy: The company plans to invest $13.4 billion from 2026 to 2029, with about 72% directed toward clean energy and storage projects, thereby driving 12% rate-based growth, enhancing system reliability, and promoting sustainable profitability.
- Economic Development Boost: Ongoing economic development in Alliant Energy's service areas is increasing customer demand, reducing reliance on any single customer segment, which enhances earnings stability and creates favorable conditions for strong financial performance.
- Compliance Risk Management: Although the company operates under stringent federal and state environmental regulations, rising compliance costs may not be fully recoverable from customers, and any noncompliance or regulatory changes could adversely affect financial performance.
See More
PG&E Launches Bill Assistance Program for Customers
- Program Impact: PG&E's Match My Payment program has provided nearly $30 million in assistance to over 78,000 customers since its inception, significantly alleviating financial burdens for families struggling with overdue energy bills.
- Funding Commitment: In 2026, PG&E expanded its bill relief efforts by committing $50 million to programs including Match My Payment, aiming to further support low-to-moderate income households and prevent service disconnections.
- High Demand Areas: PG&E has distributed over $12.5 million in bill assistance across Fresno, Kern, and San Joaquin counties, highlighting the urgent need for financial support in these regions and reflecting the economic pressures faced by families.
- Comprehensive Support: Eligible customers can receive up to $1,000 through Match My Payment and an additional $800 through the REACH program, totaling up to $1,800 in assistance, thereby enhancing support for low-income families facing energy bill challenges.
See More
PG&E Customers Face Rising Scam Losses in 2026
- Rising Customer Losses: As of mid-2026, PG&E customers have reported over $211,000 in scam-related losses, averaging $969 per victim, highlighting the severe financial threat posed by these scams to consumers.
- Emerging Scam Tactics: A new 'barcode scam' has surfaced in 2026, where scammers threaten immediate disconnection over the phone and send barcodes or QR codes via text or email, instructing customers to make payments at stores, making it easier for victims to fall prey.
- Increased Business Targeting: PG&E has received nearly 656 reports of scams targeting business customers in the first half of 2026, on track to surpass 846 reports from 2025, indicating that small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable during busy hours, impacting their operations.
- Prevention Recommendations: PG&E advises customers against using prepaid cards for bill payments, emphasizing that the company will never request payment information over the phone or at the door, urging customers to verify information through official channels to safeguard their financial security.
See More
PG&E Customers Face Surge in Scam Losses
- Rising Customer Losses: By mid-2026, PG&E customers have reported over $211,000 in scam-related losses, reflecting a nearly 30% increase from 2025, with an average loss of $969 per victim, highlighting the escalating threat to customer finances.
- Emerging Scam Tactics: The new 'barcode scam' in 2026 involves scammers sending barcodes or QR codes via text or email for payment, which not only increases customer vulnerability but also showcases the evolving complexity of fraudulent schemes.
- Business Customers Targeted: PG&E has received nearly 656 reports of scam attempts against business customers in the first half of 2026, on track to surpass the 846 reports from 2025, indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly susceptible during busy hours, affecting their operations.
- Prevention Recommendations: PG&E advises customers against making payments via prepaid cards or third-party services, emphasizing that the company will not send notifications within an hour of service interruptions, urging customers to verify any suspicious requests through official channels to safeguard their financial security.
See More
PG&E Provides Resources to Help Households Manage Summer Cooling Costs
- Cooling Cost Management: PG&E anticipates above-average temperatures this summer, with households spending up to $29 billion annually on air conditioning, prompting the company to provide resources to help customers lower energy costs while ensuring safety and comfort.
- Energy-Saving Tools and Programs: The introduction of ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats can save California customers between $50 and $78 per year, while the Automated Response Technology (ART) program adjusts energy use during peak demand, enabling effective energy management for customers.
- Budget Billing and Bill Forecasting: Customers can evenly spread their annual energy costs through the Budget Billing program and sign up for Bill Forecast Alerts at no cost, allowing them to receive notifications if their bills exceed a set amount, thus avoiding unexpected expenses.
- Income-Eligible Assistance Programs: PG&E offers a Medical Baseline program for eligible customers, ensuring those with medical needs receive additional energy allotments and priority shutoff notifications, thereby alleviating financial burdens for vulnerable populations.
See More
PG&E Launches Summer Energy Savings Programs
- Summer Energy Initiative: PG&E anticipates above-average temperatures this summer, encouraging customers to utilize energy-saving tools and discounts to help households reduce the approximately $29 billion spent annually on air conditioning, thereby alleviating financial burdens.
- Smart Thermostat Technology: By promoting ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats, customers can save between $50 and $78 annually, while PG&E's Automated Response Technology (ART) adjusts energy use during peak demand, enhancing energy management efficiency.
- Budget Billing Program: PG&E's budget billing program helps customers spread energy costs evenly throughout the year, preventing bill shocks, while providing bill forecast alerts to notify customers when their bills exceed set amounts, thereby enhancing financial control.
- Low-Income Assistance Programs: PG&E offers various assistance programs for low-income customers, including monthly discounts of 20% to 35% on electricity and one-time bill credits of up to $800, aimed at helping these households better manage energy costs and improve their quality of life.
See More
