QR Code on Utility Shutoff Notice Scam

How the shutoff notice scam works

The notice may arrive by mail, text, email, door hanger, lobby flyer, or a phone call followed by a QR code. It claims your account is past due and that service will be disconnected unless you scan and pay immediately. The page may use the utility name, a fake account number, and a familiar color scheme.

• A QR code is presented as the only way to prevent shutoff.
• The destination is not the utility company's official domain.
• The page asks for a card, bank account, peer-payment transfer, gift card, or crypto payment.
• The notice gives a phone number or support chat that does not match a known bill or official site.

For broader bill-payment checks, see Utility Bill QR Code Scam and QR Code Bill Payment Scam.

What to check before you pay

1. Open your utility account through the official app or website you normally use.
2. Call the number on a previous bill or the official website, not the suspicious notice.
3. Compare the account number, balance, address, and due date with your real account.
4. Preview the QR destination and check that the domain matches the utility.
5. Ask about payment plans, dispute options, or service status through the official support channel.

If the notice claims to come from a utility provider rather than a bill, compare it with Utility Company QR Code Scam.

If you already scanned or paid

• If you only opened the page, close it and verify your balance through the official utility.
• If you entered a password, change it on the real utility account.
• If you paid by card or bank account, contact the issuer or bank and save the receipt.
• If you used a payment app, report the transaction in the app and collect screenshots.
• If you shared identity details, watch for follow-up calls, texts, and account-update emails.

General recovery steps are in What to Do If You Scanned a Suspicious QR Code.

Frequently asked questions