Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Spirit

Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Spirit

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.

End the call. End the scam.

End the call. End the scam.

Nov 15, 2021 | Safety and Security

We join utilities across the nation to warn customers about scams. This year, the Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) campaign is ‘End the Call. End the Scam.’  The campaign focuses on utility impostor scam calls and the advanced tactics that scammers use to target customers. Since the pandemic began, the number of scams has escalated, and scammers have increased their efforts to take advantage of financial challenges many customers have faced.

So, what can you do to stop a scam and avoid these scammers’ tactics?

UUAS has tips to help:

If you receive a call from a possible scammer, slow down, verify, and stop before you act.

  • Slow down. Scammers may ask you for personal information and immediate payment. Don’t let them rush you into making a decision.
  • Verify. Scammers often pose as employees. If you are unsure whether the call is from PPL, hang up and check your online account at pplelectric.com or contact us directly.
  • Stop before you act. Think about the information the caller is asking of you. If it seems unsafe or incorrect, rethink the situation and ask questions.

Scammers are extremely sophisticated and use strategies that can make you believe they are not an impostor. Here are a few common scams and tips to protect yourself:Scam Awareness sign

  • Scammers often threaten immediate service termination. They ask for personal information or demand payments to stop a termination. We’ll never demand immediate cash to avoid shut-off.
  • They’ve been taking advantage of increased online activities and are asking for payments through digital payment apps or direct transactions with banking institutions.
  • They prey on households with tight budgets. They’ll inform you that you overpaid a bill and are due a refund, but first they’ll ask for your bank account information to process a transfer.
  • They also are posing as utility employees by claiming the number on the caller ID does not match the utility’s phone number because of COVID-19 remote work policies.

As creative as these scammers get, it’s important to be vigilant and remember that anyone can be targeted. If a scammer targets you, they may also target your neighbor. That’s why we must continue to raise awareness. Together, we can #StopScams.

Visit the Utilities United Against Scams website for more information.

 

Utilities United Against Scams, 2021

The faces of scams

The faces of scams

Jun 8, 2021 | Safety and Security

What does a utility scam look like? We think these emojis will help you remember!

If you know what to watch for, you’ll never have to look worried, like this:

 

 

# # # # #

“Pay now or we’ll cut you off.”

Scammers say this; we don’t. If you are at any risk of losing service, we’ll give you plenty of notice. You won’t be surprised by a phone call threatening imminent shutoff.

 

# # # # #

“Go get a prepaid card.”

Scammers often insist that you have to pay with prepaid cards or digital payment apps, because it’s convenient for them. We don’t pressure you to use these types of payments.

 

# # # # #

“This is a fee to connect your meter.”

Scammers sometimes make this claim. Any meter-related costs you have to pay are included as part of your bill. There’s no extra fee to get a meter fixed, replaced or connected.

# # # # #

 

“But I said–” *click*

Don’t be scared, pressured or intimidated by scam phone calls. Just hang up. Call your local police if you feel threatened.

 

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Want to make sure your account is not overdue?

For peace of mind, you may want to verify your account is in good standing after receiving a scam call. To do that, log on at pplelectric.com, to check your account status.