A flyer circulating in local neighborhoods warning PG&E customers of looming electricity costs is raising concerns that it may be part of a misleading solicitation, not an official utility notice.
The document, which reads “NOTICE PG&E CUSTOMERS” in large type, claims that due to wildfire lawsuits and state law, Pacific Gas and Electric is “required to upgrade overhead lines and infrastructure to reduce fire risk, and are converting homes to Self-Generation.” It goes on to state that households not enrolled in California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) will “pay up to 37% more for electricity.”
The notice cites California Penal Code §452 PC — a statute that actually deals with arson crimes, not utility regulation. It also uses urgency and fear tactics, urging homeowners to schedule “assessments by state-licensed program directors” immediately to avoid higher costs.
In small print, the flyer states it is “distributed by The California Energy Initiative,” an entity that does not appear to be an official state agency. Meanwhile, the phone number listed, 1-877-743-1143, is not PG&E’s customer service line. PG&E’s legitimate contact number is 1-800-743-5000, and the utility’s official programs are always accessible through pge.com.
PG&E has repeatedly warned customers to watch for ssolicitations that misuse its name or target wildfire victims. The California Public Utilities Commission also notes that while the state does offer SGIP rebates for battery storage and other systems, participation is voluntary and no household is forced to convert to “self-generation.”
The flyer also references “federal ITC incentives” without naming the actual federal solar tax credit program, another tactic experts say is used to make the notice sound more official.
Authorities advise residents not to call the number listed or scan the flyer’s QR code. Anyone with questions about their utility service or rebates should contact PG&E directly or visit official state websites.
We got one, knew it was a scam instantly… “nice card stock though”
I say, find out where they are located and turn off their electricity. Hehe.
I found this glued to my door a couple of weeks ago. Seriously. It left behind glue residue. Who does that?!
Laying on ground by mailbox, was first clue.
Picked up, read it, laughed and into recycle.
How about a Cease & Desist from the DA? Why are scammers allowed to continue??
If you think this is something, just wait til you get the 100% full of baloney “City Workers” who arrive at your door demanding to test your water. They’re all geared up and look the part, but they’re absolutely not from any governmental entity and would lack the ability to intelligently discuss anything regarding water quality, they can only spout the nonsensical, made-up, and magic trick spiel they’ve had to memorize. They want to install an expensive and unnecessary water filtration system. Unfortunately, my fear is that much of our neighborhood will be gullible enough to go for this and will angrily defend these bozos as “only trying to make a living” if you attempt to get them ejected from the area. “At least they’re not out there breaking windows and looting,” “At least they’re not out there blah, blah, blah,” as if that’s really excusing their actions. Thanks for attending my Ted talk. Oh, and I, too, had to work at getting this gigantic blob of chewy glue off my garage door for some time, looked as if Shrek had hawked up a loogie and it was no small task.
It would be nice if our D.A. would go after these scammmers but she is too busy releasing dangerous Felons back into our communities.
I’ve read that at least one apartment dweller in our area signed a predatory contract involving equipment placed on a roof. To be clear, a roof that he does not own and has no say in controlling, yet he was gulled into placing himself into an agreement that is difficult to escape. I didn’t see the details for myself, but it doesn’t seem impossible. Just no shortage of flim-flam men and women going through.
There are people who come through my apartment complex semi-regularly, knocking on my door, telling me that they need to see my PG&E bill to make sure that I am getting all of my discounts. I know better than to fall for this. I inform them that they, in fact, do NOT need to see my bill and that PG&E already has access to it. Then I close the door. Sometimes they make a last ditch effort to convince me that it isn’t what I’m thinking, that it’s really something else, but I won’t listen.