Customers of San Diego Gas & Electric were warned Thursday against giving out credit card information to callers who claim to represent the utility.
Scammers are contacting customers by phone and threatening to turn off electric or gas service unless immediate payment is made, according to SDG&E.
Company officials said targeted customers are being directed to purchase a pre-paid credit or debit card, call another phone number and provide the card's account information. The card value is then emptied.
SDG&E said its representatives do not call customers and ask them to provide credit card information over the telephone. Customers should only provide their financial data if they have initiated the call to the utility.
The company said if customers become uncomfortable during a phone call with a purported representative of the company, they should hang up and immediately call SDG&E at (800) 411-7343.
