This is the new phone number for the PG&E electric utility disconnection scam. They’ll call and threaten disconnection within 25 minutes, and will ask you to call 800-506-2303. You’ll be given a 6 digit account number beginning with 07 and ending in the letter B as in Banchod. Mine was 07386B. They’ll also ask for a phone number and address. Pick a valid one in the PG&E service area of Northern California. I suggested a nice winery in Napa, area code 707.
They'll send you to 7-11 and call back, ask for Steven Williams ext 202 (same as yesterday) when you get to the parking lot. As opposed to SSA scammers, they won't stay on while while you drive. He said I owe $306.
@jaymee#141219 Called them from a 469 area code (Texas) and a Mr. Steven Williams answered. I told him that I had received a recorded message about my service being disconnected and to call this number. He first asked for my phone number, which I gave him (469 Area Code for Rowlett Texas). He asked for my account number, so I told him “07836B” (swapped two digits). He said “No sir, that is the service order number for the crew that is coming out to disconnect your power”. I told him I didn’t know my account number, so he asked for my address. I made one up on the fly and omitted the city, state and zip… said something like “Yeah, 4002 North Gilmore Drive”. Bingo - in like flint. He told me that I had an outstanding balance of $498.67 and I needed to pay immediately or they would leave me in the dark. Usual crap - Target, walmart, 7-11, whatever and get a Money-Pak card. But don’t tell the teller what it’s for, or they will charge an extra amount - and if you try to process your payment there, even though they are an authorized payment center, it will take them 24 hours to process and your power will have been disconnected by then.
The guy never ever asked me my name, so he has no idea who it is that he was speaking with now, or when I theoretically call him back with the money-pak card numbers. Heck, he never even gave me an account number or any other way to identify myself other than phone # and partial address. Gotta get the card within the next hour or the crews will be banging down my door. I'll give him another half hour or so and figure out some story to weave with him as we continue the saga.
BTW: Mr. Williams told me his extension was 201, not 202 ;) Guess you could ask for extension 0321232 and it would still wind up with him ;)
When I reached the 7-11 parking lot I called again and asked for Steven Williams. I apologized for my poor English, and said I wished someone spoke Spanish. He said he speaks Spanish. (canned phrases) I complimented him and asked where he’s from, in Spanish. No answer. So I asked him in English. He said he’s from New York.
He directed me inside to look for the gift card display. He went through great pains to make sure I have the correct cardboard MoneyPak card, with the $5.95 printed on the upper right hand side. I was told to load $306 on the card in addition to the service fee. When I had the activated card, he instructed me to scratch off the back. I did, and he even heard me blow on it. Then time to read off the numbers to him. Oops, sorry, Mr Williams, this card doesn't have numbers, only letters. He insisted it has numbers, No, said I, let me read the letters to you. "S C A M M E R". He wasn't amused and put me on forever hold with the bad music.
So now the number answers with a generic voicemail, no longer the PG&E IVR. Maybe they’re having technical issues? But a minute or so ago, I received another call from a “PG&E field technician” who has a service order to cut my line. He said his name is Martin, Employee number 22902. I asked how to pay, he gave me the same 800 number, BUT this time offered to transfer me to his manager so I could arrange payment. Hmmm, maybe a new twist to this scam?
When I asked for his last name, he read off MY real lastname, then hung up. The line he called is NOT unlisted, so it has my name on the white pages. Doesn't bother me a bit.
@jaymee#141249 Ok, called Mr. Williams back and told him I was back from Target. He asked me if I had concluded the transaction for the address I gave him, and I gave him another story to chew on. Told him that while I was there, I casually mentioned my account to the clerk, and she pulled it up. Surprise, surprise - why, there is no overdue balance of $498.67, but actually an OVERAGE of $127.16! So she gave me the money in cash, and told me that she had no idea who Mr. Williams was, or where he pulled that $498 from.
Like a trooper, he kept at it though: "Sir, they pulled up the balance and it would not have shown the red flag on your account because they are 24 hours behind". Oh, that got me going "No sir, that is Bullshit - first off, for my account to be flagged, it would have to be past due for 30 days or more, and it was not past due at all. And secondly, electric service providers are prohibited from disconnecting service by the federal government at the moment due to the pandemic. You of all people should know that. No sir, you are nothing more than a low life scammer trying to steal my money".
He gave it one last try, acted all surprised that I would think he was some kind of scammer. I told him "Buddy, you got my file in front of you, what is my name?". He stuttered and choked a bit. "Come on man, that should be an easy one, what is my name"? True to form, he said "I'm sorry sir, but if you are not going to make your payment, then I have no choice but to send the crew out to cut your power". I told him, "That's fine - you do that. The address I gave you is in Texas so I'll be expecting them in a day or two". Click.