Jyotsna Maru panicked when she was told her Southern California Edison bill was late and that her electricity would be shut off in one hour unless she paid $498.78 immediately.

“I’m thinking, oh my God, I’m going to lose my ice cream,” said the Hacienda Heights Baskin-Robbins owner. 

John Lee, owner of Jinza Teriyaki restaurant in Pomona, recalled getting a phone call about a supposed delinquent bill.“The caller was asking me for my account number. I told him he should have it since he worked for Edison. He said his computer was down,” said Lee.

“I went online to check my account while I was talking to him and saw that my account was current. He kept asking me for personal information. I knew it was a scam.”  

This year, more than 15,000 SCE customers have received phone calls from impostors claiming to be from SCE. They were told their bill was late and their service would be disconnected within an hour or less unless they made an immediate payment with a prepaid cash card. Regrettably, more than 600 SCE customers have been scammed, collectively losing more than $500,000.  

This holiday season, SCE reminds customers and the general public to stay alert and beware of impostors posing as SCE representatives and asking for money. Authorities say this is the time of year utility phone scams spike. For those affected by the recent wildfires, as well as for the general public, scam awareness is key to avoid becoming a victim.