Cut the Power on Utility Scams This Summer

(Updated June 2025; This article is contributed by Karen Murillo, Associate State Director of Advocacy)

Floridians are feeling the heat as Florida power companies try to raise monthly rates, and AARP Florida wants to make sure utility scammers aren’t giving you a reason to sweat. In 2024, Floridians lost over $54 million to business imposter scams (including utility imposters), and as one South Florida resident found – utility scams can be very convincing.

Here are some common types of utility scams happening around the state, along with our top tips to teach you the signs to “keep cool” and avoid the scammers this summer:

Fraudsters pretend to contact you from your utility provider and threaten to disconnect your service (electric, water, gas, phone, etc.) unless you pay immediately.

• How They Do It: Scammers often reach out over the phone to demand payment or provide a payment link in a text or email, but watch out for letters in the mail asking you to call the company at a phone number provided in the letter; calling this number will connect you with the scammer instead!
  
• Scam Prevention Tip: Normally your utility company will provide multiple written notices or warnings about overdue bills before disconnecting service and they will NEVER ask for payment via e-cash, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency.
  
• In the News: A Palm Beach County resident who was told to pay an overdue power bill using e-cash.

Fraudsters may reach out to say your account information needs to be updated or that you are entitled to refund for an alleged overpayment – they just need some information from you first...

• How They Do It: Fraudsters request your bank account or credit card information to facilitate a “refund” or ask for other sensitive information used in identity theft.
  
• Scam Prevention Tip: Only update your account information (like billing details) through your online customer profile with the utility company to minimize the risk of giving this information to a scammer.
  
• In the News: This Florida woman’s experience with a sophisticated utility scammer after she received a letter in the mail about updating her father’s utility account after he passed away.

Criminals know that major storms and hurricanes often mean a disruption of your power and other essential utility services, which is why they like to exploit unsuspecting Floridians in the aftermath of the storm by posing as utility workers.

• How They Do It: These fraudsters may appear in-person at your front door or may contact you via phone, text, or email – either way they’ll offer to repair your equipment or restore your service in exchange for making an up-front payment.
• Scam Prevention Tip: Ask for the ID of a person claiming to work for your utility provider so you can contact the utility company directly to verify their identity, and DON’T allow anyone to pressure you into making an immediate payment – trust us, your utility company knows where to send the bill.
• In the News: A Tampa Bay Better Business Bureau’s work to stop utility scams in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Whether you’re environmentally conscious or just looking to save some money, scammers know that overpromising with steep discounts, rebates, and other financial incentives can be enough to entice Florida homeowners to invest in green energy home improvements and enter a contract without reading the fine print.

• How They Do It: You may receive an advertisement in the mail or have a pushy salesperson show up at your door. Fraudsters will promise anything to get you to pay up-front or enter a pricey installation contract, often pushing unnecessary upgrades and add-on’s in the process.
  
• Scam Prevention Tip: Beware of companies claiming to be government-affiliated; research a company thoroughly beforehand and get quotes from multiple reputable vendors before you decide.
  
• In the News: A green energy company employee was accused of disappearing with a Central Florida couples’ $30K+ down payment after promising a substantial discount for making an upfront cash payment.

From the water we drink to the gas and electric connections we rely on in our homes, crooks know that safety alerts are a great way to get consumers to act fast without pausing to consider their claims.

• How They Do It: Shady businesses send out mailers that look like official government or utility company notices urging you to get your water (or other services) tested, or telling you to purchase and install special equipment to “fix” a problem with your water, gas, electric, etc.
  
• Scam Prevention Tip: Be skeptical of any official-looking alerts you receive via mail, text, email, or phone calls. When it comes to questions or problems with your utilities, contact your utility provider directly using trustworthy contact information.
  
• In the News: Fort Pierce residents received a letter claiming to be from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, urging them to install a filtration system due to water contamination issues.
  

• Utility scammers don’t always pose as your service provider. Sometimes they lie about being a third-party contractor hired by your provider for a repair, inspection, or energy audit.
  
• Besides demanding money for “bill payments,” utility scammers are also known to ask for additional payment for repairs, bogus fees, or to provide priority status for power restoration.
  
• Some scammers say they want to “save you money” by offering to sign you up for a utility rate reduction program or to reimburse your bank account for a supposed overpayment.

If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Approaching any communication with a healthy amount of skepticism and protecting your personal and financial information are important ways to stay safe from fraud.

For more information on utility scams, check out our printable one-pager and visit aarp.org/FLfraud to learn about other resources and tips for protecting Floridians from fraud.