Utility Scams Surge During Extreme Weather

Learn how to protect yourself from impersonators and quick-fix offers

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:07pm

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Scammers are exploiting extreme weather conditions by impersonating utility companies and offering quick repairs, threatening to shut off services unless immediate payment is made. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to be wary of these tactics and to verify the legitimacy of any utility-related calls or offers before providing personal or financial information.

Why it matters

Utility scams can lead to significant financial losses for consumers, especially during times of extreme weather when people are more vulnerable and desperate for help. It's important for the public to be aware of these common scams in order to protect themselves and their money.

The details

Scammers will typically contact consumers by text, call, or email, claiming to be from a utility company and threatening to shut off services like electricity, heat, or water unless an immediate payment is made. They may also offer to restore power more quickly after an outage if the consumer pays upfront. The crooks often demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfers, which make it harder to trace and recover the stolen funds. Consumers are advised not to trust caller ID or unsolicited customer service numbers, and to instead contact their utility directly using the number on their bill.

  • On January 29, the Federal Trade Commission issued an alert about the surge in utility scams during extreme weather events.

The players

Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is a government agency that protects consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices.

Annette Washington

The vice president and community manager for Chase Bank in Detroit, who focuses on financial wellness and building awareness for how to avoid scams and fraud.

Joelle Kruczek

The senior communications strategist for DTE Energy in Detroit.

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What they’re saying

“Talk about what's going on. Hey, I got this phone call, and what do you think?”

— Annette Washington, Vice President and Community Manager, Chase Bank (USA TODAY)

“Alarm bells should ring when someone calls and says a crew is on the way to shut off service unless there's an immediate payment. The more aggressive the caller, the more skeptical customers should be.”

— Joelle Kruczek, Senior Communications Strategist, DTE Energy (USA TODAY)

What’s next

Consumers are advised to contact their utility company directly using the number on their bill to verify any claims or offers, and to never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.

The takeaway

Utility scams can be costly and devastating, especially during extreme weather events when people are most vulnerable. By being vigilant, verifying the legitimacy of any utility-related contacts, and refusing to make immediate payments, consumers can protect themselves from falling victim to these predatory tactics.