Utility Scams: Shutoff Threats, Fake Workers and What to Do

If someone calls, texts, emails or knocks on your door saying your gas, electric or water will be shut off unless you pay right now, it's a scam. That is the Federal Trade Commission's own wording: "If you get an unexpected call, text, email, or in-person visit from your gas, electric, or water company and they threaten to shut off your service unless you pay them, it's a scam." Real utility companies, the FTC says, "won't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection."

What to do right now: hang up or close the door, don't click any link, and check your account by calling the number printed on your bill or going to the company's website yourself. If you already paid, call the bank, card company, payment app or gift card company you used immediately and say you paid a scammer. Then see our guide to getting money back after a scam for the rules that apply to how you paid.

Information last verified on October 3, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This guide covers United States federal law and federal agency guidance on utility impersonation scams: the FTC's Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses (16 C.F.R. part 461) and FTC consumer guidance. It quotes the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission as one state example. It does not cover each state's utility disconnection rules, the rules for switching your electricity or gas supplier, or individual utilities' policies. Refund rights by payment method are on our money-back guide, not here.

How to tell a utility scam from a real utility call

The FTC describes the scam simply: scammers "might call, text, email, or visit you in person and threaten to shut off your gas, electric, or water service if you don't pay them immediately. These scammers want to scare you into paying before you have time to confirm what they're telling you. But real utility companies don't do this."

These are the tells the FTC and one state regulator have published:

• A shutoff threat with a deadline of today. The FTC says real utility companies "won't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection."
• A demand to pay a certain way. The FTC says scammers "will often say you can only pay them by wiring money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, using cryptocurrency, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card." Its rule of thumb: "Only scammers say you can only pay one of those ways. Your utility company won't ask you to pay any of those ways. Neither will any other legitimate business."
• Pressure to act before you can check. The FTC says the point of the threat is to scare you "into paying before you have time to confirm what they're telling you."
• Someone at the door who wants in. The FTC says that if they show up at your door, "don't let them pressure their way into your home."
• A call from the utility regulator offering discounts or threatening shutoff. Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission warns of people who "falsely claim to represent the PUC," including calls, emails or notices "offering utility bill discounts to sign up for services." It says: "The PUC will never offer bill discounts, threaten service disconnection, request payments or ask for your banking or credit card information." That statement is about Minnesota's commission; check your own state's regulator.

Scammers reach people by phone, text and email, so a message that looks official proves nothing. Our guide to phishing, smishing and vishing explains how fake texts, links and calls work, and our guide to tech support and fake invoice scams covers fake bills.

Why scammers ask for gift cards, wires, crypto or payment apps

The FTC's explanation is blunt: "Scammers tell you to pay this way because it's hard to get your money back when you use one of these methods."

A real utility bill comes with a real account and real ways to pay. A caller who will only take one of these four methods is telling you who they are. If you were pushed into one of them, our guides to gift card scams and Zelle and payment app scams explain what to do for each.

What to do if someone threatens to shut off your utilities

1. Hang up, or don't reply. The FTC says: "If someone contacts you claiming to be from your utility company and threatening to shut off your service if you don't pay on the spot, hang up. Don't click any links or respond to the message."
2. Find the real number yourself. The FTC says to "contact your utility company using the number on your bill or the company's website."
3. Ask about your account. If the utility says your account is current, you have your answer. If you really are behind, the next section explains what the FTC suggests.
4. Report the contact. See the reporting section below.

Watch out for fake payment sites in search results

Searching for your utility's name can lead you to the wrong place. The FTC warns: "Your top search results online are often paid ads, which dishonest businesses sometimes use to impersonate real utility companies." It adds that "Even if some of these businesses pay your bill, they might also charge you a bunch of fees that you wouldn't have to pay if you visited your utility company's website directly."

The FTC's advice is to "Scroll to the unpaid search results to help make sure you have the right number or website." Safer still, type the web address printed on your bill.

A utility worker at your door: how to check

A fake worker at the door is a safety problem, not just a payment problem. The FTC's guidance is short: if they show up, "don't let them pressure their way into your home." The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, as one state example, gives more detail:

• "Utility workers and authorized contractors who visit your home should be clearly identifiable. They typically wear a uniform and carry a company-issued photo ID badge. Their vehicles are usually marked with the utility or contractor's name and logo."
• "Utility employees and contractors will not demand immediate access to your home. In many cases, they only need access to a meter, which is often located outside or in a side or back yard."
• "You have the right to ask for identification and to verify the person's identity before allowing them access to your property."
• "Do not use a phone number provided by the person at your door."

Keep the door closed while you call the utility at the number on your bill. The Minnesota commission says: "If you believe someone is impersonating a utility worker or you feel unsafe, contact local law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1."

Salespeople at the door

Not everyone at the door is a fake worker. Some are selling something. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule "gives you three days to cancel certain sales made at your home, workplace, or dormitory, or at a seller's temporary location," with exclusions that include sales "under $25 for sales made at your home" and those "needed to meet an emergency." Your "right to cancel for a full refund lasts until midnight of the third business day after the sale."

We have not confirmed whether that rule reaches a contract to switch your electricity or gas supplier signed at your door, so do not rely on it for that kind of contract. If someone at the door pressures you to sign up for anything to do with your utility service, you can say no, close the door and call your utility at the number on your bill.

If you are really behind on your utility bill

Sometimes the worry behind a scam call is real: you may owe money. If you are behind on your utility bills, or expect to be, the FTC's advice is to "contact the utility company immediately." It adds that "Often, companies won't shut off your service if you pay part of the overdue bill now and agree to a plan to catch up on your payments over time."

Disconnection rules are mostly set by state law and each utility's tariff, and they vary from state to state. The FTC says: "Some states have rules for when a utility company shuts off your service. Contact your state or local consumer protection office to find out if that's the case where you live." Your state's utility regulator is also a place to ask.

Pro tip: a real shutoff process runs through your actual account. If you call the number on your bill and the utility has no record of a past-due balance, that is a strong sign the threat did not come from them.

What to do if you already paid a utility scammer

Act fast. The FTC's utility page sends people who paid to its general advice to "read What To Do if You Were Scammed for specific steps to take depending on how you paid."

1. Call the payment company first. Contact the bank, card issuer, wire company, crypto exchange, payment app or gift card company you used, tell them it was a scam, and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
2. Keep everything. Save receipts, gift cards, screenshots of texts or emails, and the caller's number.
3. Check your real utility account using the number on your bill, so you know whether any real balance is due.
4. Report the scam (next section).

Whether you can get money back depends almost entirely on how you paid and how fast you act. Our money-back guide walks through the rules for cards, bank transfers, payment apps, wires, crypto and gift cards. If your bank or app turned down your claim, see what to do when a bank refuses a scam refund.

If you gave the scammer personal or account information

If the caller got your bank login, card number or Social Security number, see our guide on what to do when a scammer has your information. If someone used your information to open utility service, the FTC says to "contact the utility company and tell them someone stole your identity. Ask them to close the account. Then report the utility identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov." Our guide on how to report identity theft covers the rest of that process.

Where to report a utility scam

The FTC lists three places to report: "your utility company online or by calling a number you know is real; the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; your state attorney general". The FTC also takes reports in Spanish at ReporteFraude.ftc.gov.

Reporting to your utility lets it warn other customers. If a fake worker came to your home or you felt unsafe, the Minnesota commission's advice is to call local law enforcement. Our guide on where to report a scam explains what each agency does with a report.

Is pretending to be a utility company illegal?

Yes, under federal law it is an unfair or deceptive practice. The FTC's Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses, at 16 C.F.R. § 461.3, says:

"It is a violation of this part, and an unfair or deceptive act or practice to: (a) materially and falsely pose as, directly or by implication, a business or officer thereof, in or affecting commerce as commerce is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44); or (b) materially misrepresent, directly or by implication, affiliation with, including endorsement or sponsorship by, a business or officer thereof, in or affecting commerce as commerce is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44)."

A scammer who claims to be your gas, electric or water company is posing as a business, or, if your utility is run by a city or other government body, as a government entity under 16 C.F.R. § 461.2. The FTC enforces the rule. In a June 15, 2026 press release, the FTC said the rule "gives the agency stronger tools," enabling it "to file federal court cases seeking to get money back to injured consumers and civil penalties."

When a scammer pretends to be a government regulator, such as a state utility commission, a companion section, 16 C.F.R. § 461.2, covers posing as a government entity. Our government impersonation scams guide explains that section. State laws also apply; every state has its own guide on our scams and fraud hub. For when a private lawyer can and cannot help, see when a lawyer helps after a scam.

How much do imposter scams cost?

The FTC does not break out utility scams in the figures it released. Its June 15, 2026 press release on 2025 reports says people reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams, and that "nearly one in three fraud reports were about imposter scams." Within that, people reported losing "nearly $1 billion to business impersonators with the highest reported losses to bank impersonators."

Those are FTC-wide categories. They are not a utility-scam figure, and they cover only what people reported.

Related guides

• Scams and fraud: the full guide, with every state's guide
• How to get money back after a scam
• Where to report a scam
• When a lawyer helps after a scam
• Phishing, smishing and vishing
• Tech support and fake invoice scams
• Zelle and payment app scams
• Gift card scams
• Government impersonation scams
• Home Repair and Contractor Scams
• How to Tell if Something Is a Scam

Last updated: October 3, 2026.

This article is general legal information about US federal law as verified on October 3, 2026, not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact your utility company at the number on your bill, the payment company you used, the FTC, your state attorney general, or a lawyer licensed in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the power company call and threaten to shut off my power today?

The FTC says real utility companies won't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection, and that an unexpected call, text, email or visit threatening shutoff unless you pay is a scam. Hang up and call the number on your bill.

Does the electric company take gift cards or payment apps?

The FTC says your utility company won't ask you to pay by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment app or gift cards, and that only scammers say you can only pay one of those ways.

How do I know if a utility worker at my door is real?

Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission says real workers typically wear a uniform and carry a company-issued photo ID, usually drive a marked vehicle, and won't demand immediate access to your home. Verify with the utility using a number you find yourself, not one the person gives you.

What should I do if I paid a utility scammer?

Contact the bank, card issuer, payment app or gift card company you used right away and report the fraud, then report the scam to your utility, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general. What you can recover depends on how you paid.

Can I search online for my utility's phone number?

Carefully. The FTC warns that top search results are often paid ads, which dishonest businesses sometimes use to impersonate utility companies and charge extra fees. Use the number on your bill or scroll to the unpaid results.

Is there a federal law against pretending to be a utility company?

The FTC's Impersonation Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 461.3, makes it an unfair or deceptive practice to materially and falsely pose as a business or its officer. If your utility is run by a city or other government body, 16 C.F.R. § 461.2 covers posing as a government entity. The FTC enforces the rule.

How much notice does a utility have to give before shutting off service?

It depends on your state. The FTC says some states have rules for when a utility can shut off service and suggests contacting your state or local consumer protection office. Your bill or utility can tell you which rules apply.

Someone opened a utility account in my name. What do I do?

The FTC says to contact the utility company, tell them someone stole your identity, ask them to close the account, and then report the utility identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.