Electricity and Utility Disconnection Scams
"Your power will be cut off in one hour unless you pay now." How electricity, water and gas disconnection scams work, and how to check your account and pay safely.
A call, text or email says your electricity, water or gas will be disconnected within the hour because of an overdue bill. A technician is already on the way. To stop it, you must pay immediately, often by transfer, mobile money, gift card or through a link. Utility scams work because losing power or water is frightening, especially for businesses and families.
Common utility scams
- Disconnection threats: pay now or be cut off today.
- Overpayment refunds: "You overpaid; click to claim a refund," leading to a fake card form.
- Meter replacement or inspection: a fee for a new meter, or a visitor who wants to come in.
- Discount tokens: cheap prepaid electricity tokens from unofficial vendors that do not work.
- Energy "rebates" or government support programmes that need your bank details.
Illustrative example
hxxps://power-bill-payment[.]info- A same-day deadline and a threat.
- A payment link that does not belong to your utility.
- What to do: check your balance in the utility's official app or by calling the number on your bill.
How real utilities operate
- They send bills and written notices before disconnection.
- They give you time to pay or arrange a payment plan.
- They accept payment through official channels listed on your bill and website.
- Staff carry identification and, for home visits, usually book appointments in advance.
Check your account yourself. Log in to your utility's official app or website, or call the number printed on your bill. If there is a real problem, it will show there.
For businesses
Restaurants, shops and offices are frequently targeted around busy times, when the threat of losing power is most alarming. Make sure staff know to put the caller on hold and call the utility using the number on the bill, and never to pay a caller directly.
Home visits
If someone arrives claiming to be from a utility, ask for ID, keep them outside, and call the utility on the number from your bill to confirm before letting them in. Genuine staff will wait.
If you have paid
Contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately, report it to the utility so it can warn other customers, and report the scam. See how to report a scam.
Got a disconnection warning? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check before you pay.
Utility scams share the same pressure tactics as tax impersonation scams. For all the common types of online scams, read our complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
Would my utility company cut me off with one hour's notice?
Genuine utilities normally send written notices before disconnection and give you time to pay or arrange a plan. A same-day threat demanding immediate payment is a strong scam sign.
How should I pay my utility bill safely?
Through the utility's official app or website, which you reach yourself, or through official payment channels listed on your bill.
Are cheap prepaid electricity tokens safe?
Tokens sold by unofficial vendors at a discount are a common scam and may not work. Buy tokens only through the utility or its authorised vendors.
Sources
- Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company, US Federal Trade Commission
- Phone Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
- Spot scams, UK National Cyber Security Centre
