Utility Shutoff Scam Calls: “Pay Now or We Cut Your Power” Is a Scam

A call saying your power, gas or water will be shut off unless you pay right away is a common scam. State attorneys general and the FTC say real utilities don’t demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or payment app, and they give notice before a shutoff. Hang up and call the number on your bill.

What officials are warning about

On January 16, 2026, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warned consumers about scammers who pretend to be from a utility company and threaten to shut off heat if they don’t receive a payment. He said scammers use urgency and threats of turning off utilities to get money or personal information, especially when temperatures drop.

The Arkansas Attorney General issued a similar warning in January 2024. That office said it receives many complaints from people deceived by utility impersonation scams, in which impostors threaten to shut off service unless a past-due amount is paid immediately.

The FTC has warned about the same pattern. Scammers pose as utility representatives and say service will be shut off to get people’s cash and personal information.

How the call goes

Based on the officials’ descriptions, the call usually follows this pattern:

• A caller says they are from your electric, gas or water company.
• They say your account is past due.
• They threaten to shut off service right away, sometimes on a cold day.
• They demand immediate payment, often by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or a payment app.
• In some versions, a person shows up at the door claiming to be from the utility.

Red flags

• A shutoff threat by phone. The Arkansas Attorney General says utilities don’t typically call about shutoffs and instead send a notice by mail or email.
• No time to pay. Utilities must give adequate notice on past-due bills, and many offer payment plans.
• An odd payment method. Utilities won’t ask for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers or apps like Zelle or Venmo, according to the Illinois Attorney General.
• Requests for banking details. The FTC says utilities don’t demand banking information by phone or email.
• Someone at the door asking for money. The Illinois Attorney General says your utility will never come to your home to collect payment.

What to do instead

• Hang up. The FTC suggests telling the caller you will contact the utility directly.
• Call the utility yourself using the number on your bill or the company’s official website, or log in to your account on the official site.
• Never give account or card numbers to a caller you didn’t call yourself.
• If someone comes to the door, ask for company ID, close the door and call the utility to ask if they sent anyone.
• If you’re behind on a bill, ask your utility about payment plans or energy assistance.

If your parent already paid

• Call the bank or the company that issued the gift card or handled the payment right away and ask to stop it.
• File a complaint with your state attorney general’s office.
• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• If an older adult lost money, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm ET.
• Tell friends and neighbors. The FTC notes that if you got the call, others in your community probably did too.

Shutoff threats work because they create panic in a few minutes. FamilyDefender checks unknown calls to an older parent while they happen and can warn the parent and alert family when a call looks risky.