Feb 25, 2026 | Safety and Security
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.
pplelectric.com/scams
Nov 18, 2025 | Safety and Security
The holidays should be enjoyable. But scammers see this season as a chance to take your money and personal information.
Utility Scam Awareness Day is Nov. 19. We’re joining Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) to help you spot the warning signs and protect yourself. The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lost$12.5 billion to impostor scams in 2024, a 25% increase over the prior year.
As your schedule gets busier, scammers get bolder. They want you to be distracted. Here’s how they try to fool you, and how you can stay safe.
How scammers try to trick you
Scammers rely on pressure, fear and fake information. These are the most common tactics we see.
1. The threatening phone call
What they do:
Someone pretends to be from PPL Electric and claims your bill is past due. They demand immediate payment and push you to use a prepaid card, gift card, CashApp, Venmo, Zelle or cryptocurrency.
Red flag:
We never demand payment right away or ask you to pay through apps or gift cards. If you’re at risk of shutoff, we contact you through official channels and offer payment options.
What to do:
Hang up. Sign in at pplelectric.com to check your real account status or call 1-800-342-5775.
2. The fake caller ID
What they do:
They “spoof” our number so your caller ID looks legitimate.
Red flag:
Anything urgent, pushy or demanding personal information should make you pause, even if the number looks right.
What to do:
Hang up and call 1-800-342-5775 yourself.
3. Phishing emails and texts
What they do:
You get a message saying your bill is overdue, or your account needs an update. There’s a link that leads to a fake site.
Red flag:
Typos, unusual sender addresses, strange links or generic greetings.
What to do:
Don’t click. Go to pplelectric.com by typing it directly into your browser.
4. The impersonator at your door
What they do:
Someone shows up pretending to be a PPL Electric employee. They might say they need inside access, inspect equipment or demand payment.
Red flag:
Our employees carry official photo ID badges. We don’t ask for payments in person, and we don’t sell electricity door-to-door.
What to do:
Ask for ID. If something feels wrong, don’t engage. Call 1-800-342-5775.
Why scammers target the holidays
Scammers know that during the holidays:
- You’re juggling travel, shopping and family plans.
- Unexpected charges may not stand out.
- You’re checking accounts less often.
- You’re in a generous mindset.
That combination makes it easier for them to slip through the cracks.
Your scam-safe checklist
Use these steps to protect yourself and others:
✔ Slow down. Pressure to act fast is the biggest warning sign.
✔ Verify. Hang up and call us directly at 1-800-342-5775.
✔ Share what you learn. Talk with older relatives, neighbors, and friends. They’re often targeted.
If You Think a Scammer Reached You
Take action right away:
- Stop the contact — hang up, delete the message, or close the door
- Tell us at 1-800-342-5775
- Report it to your local police
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Warn friends and family
We’re Here to Help
We work closely with law enforcement and UUAS year-round to protect our customers. This Utility Scam Awareness Day, take a moment to learn the signs and share them with someone who may need the reminder.
For more resources, visit pplelectric.com/scams.
Follow us for updates:
Remember: We will never demand immediate payment or ask you to use gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency.
When in doubt, check your account at pplelectric.com or call 1-800-342-5775.
