June is National Safety Month, and SoCalGas is using this period to educate customers on how to protect themselves from imposters, both in-person and online.
Scammers sometimes pose as utility workers or create websites that mimic SoCalGas’ bill payment page. The company has provided tips to help customers safeguard against these scams.
In-person scammers may attempt to access homes by posing as utility workers, often wearing hard hats or reflective vests. SoCalGas advises customers to be cautious and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a representative of the gas company.
"Typically, SoCalGas visits a customer’s home in response to a specific service request. If you’re not expecting a visit, call us before allowing anyone into your home," the company stated. They also mentioned that authorized employees will drive company vehicles, wear uniforms with the company logo, and carry photo ID badges. Importantly, "SoCalGas employees will never ask for payments during home visits."
To confirm the authenticity of any representative, customers are encouraged to ask for identification or call 1-800-427-2200 or 1-800-342-4545 for Spanish-language customer service.
Online search engine scams can occur when unofficial websites appear at the top of search results for SoCalGas. These fake sites may take payments or provide phone numbers where scammers request billing information and credit card details under false pretenses.
Customers are advised to use official channels listed on SoCalGas' Ways to Pay webpage or their printed bills. Additionally, they should save contact information for future reference and remember that "we will never ask for credit card or banking information over the phone."
National Safety Month aims to promote safety awareness across various environments. SoCalGas remains committed to ensuring the safety of its customers and employees. More information on protecting against scammers can be found at socalgas.com/ScamAlert.