PG&E is warning Bay Area customers about a new scam involving QR codes and barcodes, with customers across the utility’s service area losing more than $211,000 to impostors in the first half of the year alone.

The scam begins with a phone call threatening to disconnect a customer’s service unless an immediate payment is made. Victims are then sent a barcode or QR code by text or email and instructed to take it to a store and present it to a cashier to make a payment, PG&E said in a statement.

The utility’s officials said the scheme is the latest variation of a long-running scam targeting their residential and business customers.

“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to defraud customers, and the latest ‘barcode scam’ is a prime example of that,” said PG&E lead scam investigator Matt Foley.

“What hasn’t changed is that they are still demanding immediate payment of your bill to avoid disconnection. If you receive a call of this nature, hang up. If someone at your door asks to see your utility bill, close the door. Then, call our 800 number or log into your account at PGE.com to verify your billing details,” Foley said.

On pace to exceed 2025 losses

PG&E customers across its service territory have reported more than $211,000 in losses so far this year. The utility received nearly 24,000 scam reports in 2025, when customers lost more than $301,000. With six months still remaining in 2026, PG&E officials said losses caused by scams are on track to exceed last year’s total.

Victims have lost an average of $969 each this year, compared with $590 in 2025, according to PG&E’s data.

Alameda County reported the highest number of scam complaints in the Bay Area with 399 cases, followed by Santa Clara County with 372 and Contra Costa County with 278. San Jose led all cities with 246 reports, followed by San Francisco with 176 and Oakland with 115, according to PG&E data.

Business owners have also been targeted. PG&E said it has received nearly 656 reports of scam attempts against businesses so far this year.

“Remember, PG&E will never ask you for financial information over the phone or for payment via bar code, QR code or pre-paid debit cards or money transfer services like Zelle, and we won’t ask to see your bill at your door,” Foley said.

The utility urged customers to be skeptical of demands for immediate payment and said legitimate disconnection notices are typically sent in advance by mail and included with monthly bills.