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.
Mar 4, 2025 | Safety and Security
This National Consumer Protection Week, we want to help you stay informed and protect yourself from common scams targeting utility customers.
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to deceive, often through threatening phone calls, fake websites, fraudulent emails, and even by impersonating our employees. Remember, we’ll never demand immediate payment or ask for sensitive information over the phone or in person.
Common scams and how to protect yourself
We want to help you keep your information safe and stop scammers in their tracks. Being vigilant, staying informed and guarding your personal information are your best defenses.
📱 Phone scams
Threats of disconnection
- What happens: Scammers posing as utility representatives may call and threaten immediate service disconnection if you don’t make an immediate payment, often demanding payment via prepaid debit card.
- How to protect yourself: We will never demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive such a call, hang up and go directly to pplelectric.com or call us at 1-800-342-5775 to check your account status. Never provide personal information to unexpected callers.
Spoofed caller ID
- What happens: Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though we’re calling you. They may impersonate customer service and demand payment or ask for your personal information.
- How to protect yourself: Hang up and call us directly at 1-800-342-5775. Never rely solely on the number displayed on caller ID.
📧Email and text (SMS) scams
Phishing and fake links
- What happens: Scammers may send emails or texts claiming your bill is past due, with links leading to fake payment pages designed to steal your personal data.
- How to protect yourself: Never click links or download attachments from unexpected emails or texts. Always go directly to pplelectric.com to access your account securely.
👷 In-person scams
Impersonators at your door
- What happens: Scammers may pose as PPL Electric employees, claiming they need access to your meter or demanding immediate payment.
- How to protect yourself: Always ask for a photo ID. PPL Electric employees will have an official ID badge and will never demand payment in person. For added security, contact us at 1-800-342-5775 to confirm an employee’s identity.
⚠️ Know the signs of scams
- Slow down: Take your time. Scammers pressure you to act fast.
- Verify: Scammers call from what may look like our phone number or come to your door with what appears to be an employee badge. Call 1-800-342-5775 to verify it’s really us.
- Stop: We never demand immediate payment, and we do not accept cryptocurrency, prepaid cards or third-party payment apps.
- Look out for suspicious emails: Watch for typos, unrecognized email addresses and strange links.
- Be careful with links: Fake websites can appear in search results. Always access pplelectric.com directly rather than through a search engine, ad or third-party link.
If you suspect a scam
- Stop and think: Scammers use urgency to push you into a quick decision. Take a moment to assess the situation.
- Contact authorities: Report the incident to your local police department or the FTC.
- Report to us: Call 1-800-342-5775 to report the scam attempt.
- Spread the word: Sharing your experience may help protect others in your community.
Stay vigilant and stay informed
We’re committed to protecting our customers and work closely with law enforcement to address scam threats. Visit pplelectric.com/scams for more information, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for the latest scam alerts and updates.
- Remember, we will never: Demand immediate payment through phone, email, or in person.
- Request personal financial information, such as credit/debit card or checking account numbers.
- Require payment using prepaid cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers via third-party payment apps.
- Threaten to shut off your service unless immediate payment is made.
More information please visit pplelectric.com/scams
