PPL Electric Utilities is joining this effort by sharing simple ways customers can avoid scams, report suspicious activity and protect their information.
A few basic steps can make a big difference.
What PPL Electric will never do
Scammers often rely on urgency and confusion. They may claim your power will be shut off within minutes unless you pay right away.
Remember:
- We will never demand immediate payment over the phone.
- We will never ask for payment using gift cards, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency.
- We will never show up at your door to demand cash.
- We will never ask for personal financial information through an unexpected call, text or email.
If something doesn’t feel right, slow down and verify.
Common utility scam tactics
Phone scams
Scammers may call and pretend to be from PPL Electric. They often:
- Claim your account is past due
- Threaten immediate shutoff
- Demand payment through apps or gift cards
Fake websites
Some scammers create lookalike websites that appear in search results. These sites are designed to collect your personal or payment information.
Text and email scams
You may receive a message saying your bill is overdue, with a link to a fake payment page.
Avoid, report and recover from scams
During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission encourages consumers to focus on three key steps: avoid, report and recover.
Avoid scams
- Take your time before responding to unexpected calls, texts or emails.
- Be cautious of messages that create urgency or demand unusual payment methods.
- Go directly to pplelectric.com to check your account instead of clicking links.
Report scams
If you receive a suspicious message:
- Hang up or delete it.
- Contact us directly to verify your account.
- Report scam attempts to your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission.
Recover from scams
If you think you’ve shared information or made a payment to a scammer:
- Contact your bank or payment provider right away.
- Report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Reach out to us so we can help you confirm your account status.
How to protect yourself
Keep these steps in mind:
Stop. Scammers want you to act fast. Take a moment to think.
Verify. If you’re unsure about a message, go directly to pplelectric.com or call 1-800-342-5775.
Protect your information. Never share personal or financial details with unexpected callers or through suspicious links.
Stay informed all year
Scam tactics change, but the warning signs are often the same: urgency, pressure and unusual payment requests.
Visit our Scam and Fraud Prevention page to learn more about how to recognize and avoid scams.
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