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October 20, 2026

Utility Company Says Your Power Will Be Shut Off Today? How to Check

The phone rings. The caller says they are from your electric company. Your account is past due, they say, and a crew is on the way to cut off your power within the hour. The only way to stop it is to pay right now, over the phone.

The short answer

This is a common scam. The FTC says that if a gas, electric or water company contacts you out of the blue and threatens to shut off your service unless you pay immediately, it is a scam. A real shut-off usually follows earlier notices, but rules vary by state, so do not simply ignore a warning about your account either.

You do not have to decide anything while the caller is on the line. Hang up. Then call your utility yourself, using the phone number printed on your bill, and ask whether anything is wrong with your account. If there is a real problem, the person who answers that number can tell you, and you can sort it out with them.

How the scam works

Scammers pretending to be your utility may call, text, email or even knock on your door, according to the FTC. The FTC also warns that scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID, so the call may even look like it comes from your utility.

The story is built to rush you. You are told the bill is overdue, the shut-off is today, and there is no time to check. Then comes the payment request. The FTC says utility scammers usually ask you to pay by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, a payment app or gift cards, because money sent those ways is hard to get back.

Some versions skip the phone call. The Pennsylvania Attorney General has warned about fake utility websites and paid ads that show up when people search online for how to pay their bill. Its advice: do not call phone numbers you see in online ads. The FTC adds that the top search results are often paid ads, so a fake site can appear above the real one.

After storms, the FTC warns that fake utility messages may promise to restore your power or heat faster if you pay or share personal details.

Red flags

  • A same-day shut-off threat with a demand to pay on the spot. The FTC says real utility companies won't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection. Whatever the caller says, check it with your utility on the number from your bill.
  • A demand to pay right now, on this call. Pressure is the scam's main tool.
  • An unusual way to pay. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or a payment app. The Illinois Attorney General also names apps such as Zelle and Venmo.
  • Someone at the door demanding payment. The FTC says not to let anyone pressure their way into your home. Collection practices vary by utility, so check any unexpected visitor with the company before you pay or let them in.
  • Requests for personal details. Your Social Security number, bank details, usernames or passwords.
  • A link in a text or email asking you to pay or confirm your account.

How to check if it is real

  1. Hang up, or do not reply. You can say, "I will call the company myself," and end the call.
  2. Find the number yourself. Use the phone number on a paper bill, a recent statement or the company's official website. Do not use a number the caller gives you or one from a text.
  3. Be careful with search results. If you search online for your utility, scroll past the ads at the top, as the FTC suggests, or better still, use the number on your bill.
  4. Ask the real company about your account. If you really are behind, they can explain your options. The Illinois Attorney General notes that utilities can tell you about payment plans and energy assistance programs.
  5. If someone comes to the door, ask to see their company ID, close the door, and call the utility on a number you trust to ask whether they sent anyone. That is the Illinois Attorney General's advice.

A simple line to keep by the phone:

"I don't pay bills over the phone when someone calls me. I'll call the number on my bill."

If you already paid or gave information

Take a breath. Acting quickly can help. The FTC's guide for people who were scammed has steps for each way of paying. In short:

  • Gift card: contact the company that issued the card right away. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt.
  • Wire or bank transfer: contact the bank, credit union or transfer company you used, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, right away. Tell them it was a scam and ask them to reverse the payment.
  • Payment app: report it to the app, and ask them to reverse the payment. For Zelle, contact your bank.
  • Cryptocurrency: contact the exchange or crypto ATM company you used right away, tell them it was a scam, and ask them to reverse it.
  • Credit or debit card: call the number on the back of your card.
  • Bank details: call your bank using the number on your card or statement. Tell them what you shared and ask how to protect your account.
  • Social Security number: go to IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC's site, for a step-by-step recovery plan.

Then report it. Tell your real utility company, so they can warn other customers. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to your state attorney general.

A second opinion

Scam texts and emails about utility bills often look official. If one is on your phone right now, you can paste it into Shieldle for a second opinion before you reply. It is one more check, not a guarantee. The safest check of all is still calling the number on your bill.

For more on spotting fake messages, see Is This Text a Scam? Six Things to Check Before You Reply.