> The spammers spoof Caller ID for a utility company such as PG&E, then tell the mark that their electricity and gas will be cut off unless they pay a past-due

> The spammers spoof Caller ID for a utility company such as PG&E, then tell the mark that their electricity and gas will be cut off unless they pay a past-due bill. This is one of the myriad of times where being poor is expensive. I know this scam wouldn't work on me today. Why? My utility bills are paid automatically through credit card charges made by the utility. I get e-mails every month or two when the charges are made. If I don't see an e-mail around the usual time, I can log in and investigate before the bill is past due. Even if the charge messes up for some reason, I have the money handy to pay both the utility charge and the late payment fee if it's my error. Someone who doesn't have as much doesn't have those choices. I remember when I made far less than I do now and, yes, it's entirely plausible that I would get a call from the light company demanding payment or they'll have the person standing next to my meter go ahead with the disconnection. So I would have fallen for that scam in the past because it was plausible. It sucks that scammers prey on people who are in these kinds of vulnerable positions.