June 2020 Residential Messaging from SDG&E®

Article 1: LEARN HOW TO KEEP COOL AND STAY SAFE

Temperatures are rising. Check out these energy efficient tips for keeping cool at home, as well as information for summer and wildfire safety.

Energy tips

  1. Block heat from the sun: During the hottest hours of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. Opening windows in the evening can help your home cool back down.
  2. Use ceiling fans: Ceiling fans are an efficient way to cool your home.
  3. Maintain your air conditioner: Follow manufacturer instructions for maintaining your air conditioning unit to ensure it’s operating efficiently. Change the filter every 1-2 months.
  4. Turn down your water heater by a few degrees: Many water heaters are set higher than the temperature we actually use. Reducing this by a few degrees can reduce your energy costs.
  5. DIY Project/Weatherproof your home: Weather strip and caulk drafty windows and doors to keep cool air in and warm air out.

If you’re on a Time-of-Use pricing plan, remember that shifting some energy use outside the hours of 4-9 p.m. can also result in savings on your energy bill. Regardless of your payment plan, if you’re worried about spikes in your energy bill during the summer, consider  signing up for SDG&E’s Level Pay program. It averages your costs throughout the year, making your energy bill more predictable and easier to budget for. Learn more at sdge.com/lpp.

Summer Safety

  1. Don’t chain or overload power strips: We know spending more time at home, especially when it’s hot, can lead to the need to plug in many devices. Be mindful of how many devices you plug in and never chain power strips together. Both can result in fire danger.
  2. Use air conditioners safely: Avoid plugging air conditioners into extension cords or power strips. Always keep the area around your air conditioning unit clear of anything that could easily catch fire.
  3. Clean clothes dryer vents and lint filters thoroughly: Cleaning dryer vents and lint filters not only help your machine run more efficiently, it also mitigates fire danger; a buildup of lint inside your dryer can be a fire risk.

Following home safety tips for fire prevention is a great first step to keep your home and family safe. Remember to prepare an emergency plan if a fire or other emergency happens in your area. You can find checklists to help make sure you and your loved ones are prepared at sdge.com/checklists.

SDG&E is committed to helping you stay safe and informed throughout the year. For more information on summer safety, efficiency tips and available programs to help with your summer energy costs, visit sdge.com/summer.

Article 2: BE AWARE: UTILITY SCAMMERS ARE BACK AT IT

Here’s what you need to know.

There is a new wave of scammers targeting SDG&E customers. They’re using the same old tactic: they threaten to turn off your power unless you immediately pay a past-due bill. The uptick is troubling because some of the scammers are targeting elderly SDG&E customers who are especially vulnerable, such as those who require electricity to meet critical medical needs.

The current tactics used by scammers include impersonating SDG&E’s billing department and asking for payment using Green Dot MoneyPak, a way of sending cash via prepaid or bank debit cards. SDG&E does not ask customers to pay using methods such as Green Dot MoneyPak.

Tactics Being Used Now

One active scam targets seniors, some of whom rely on assisted oxygen therapy powered by electricity. Scammers convince them to use Green Dot MoneyPak to load prepaid or bank debit cards at grocery stores. Victims are told to pay by this method to avoid service disconnection. It can be confusing because the scammers use a 1-800 number (1-800-262-3917) with a recorded message and menu options that mimic SDG&E’s customer service line, which is 1-800-411-7343. When victims call the scam number, they hear a recorded message that tells them they are calling SDG&E’s business line. They are given different menu options, including one to pay their bill or to report a gas leak or power outage.

If scammers do not get you on the phone directly, they may leave you an automated message like this:

“Hi, this is an automated message from San Diego Gas and Electric Billing Department. This call is to inform you that your power will get disconnected in 30 minutes due to a pending balance on the account. Please call the direct billing department number at 1-800-262-3917 to avoid power disconnection. Again, the number is 1-800-262-3917.”

Bottom Line

SDG&E will never proactively contact customers requesting their credit card, banking or other financial information or threaten immediate disconnection. Even if you have a past-due balance that needs to be paid, SDG&E will always provide past-due notices in writing before shutting off service and offer payment plan options. Those who have been laid off or seen their hours reduced due to the coronavirus, SDG&E is temporarily suspending service disconnections for nonpayment until further notice. Read more at sdgenews.com.

If you are a caretaker for an older adult or have elderly relatives or friends, please warn them about utility scams and urge them to follow the tips below to avoid becoming a victim.

SDG&E will NOT:

  1. Call a customer and demand immediate payment. Customers may receive communications directing them to pay their bill via their MyAccount at sdge.com or the Billmatrix SDG&E offers automated payment by phone when you call 1-800-411-7343.
  2. Request that a customer use pre-paid debit cards for payments or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to pay their bill.
  3. Send emails with an online payment method with a QR code.

Hang up!

  1. If a caller claims to work for SDG&E and asks for payment over the phone, it’s a scam.
  2. Only provide financial information by telephone if you made the call.
  3. Call SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343 or visit com/myaccount to verify information about your account.

If you believe you might have been a victim of fraud, please call SDG&E immediately at 1-800-411-7343 to report it. Get more tips to avoid becoming a victim of a utility scams at sdge.com/scams.

Article 3: HAVE YOU BEEN FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19?

SDG&E Encourages  Customers Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic to find out if they qualify for Bill Savings of  30% or more  and Other Available Assistance

With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families in the region, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is encouraging those in need to apply online for bill discount programs, which can save 30% or more off their utility bill. Many people who previously couldn’t take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they’re receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include:

  1. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Provides a 30% or more discount on SDG&E bills. Qualification is based on participation in certain public assistance programs or household income as of today. Apply at com/CARE.
  2. Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): If a customer doesn’t qualify for CARE, they may qualify for FERA, which provides income-qualified households of three or more with a reduced electric rate (18% discount) on their monthly bill. Learn more at com/FERA.
  3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federally funded program that helps low-income households with their energy bills. Find details on com/LIHEAP.

SDG&E urges customers who are struggling to pay their utility bill to call its Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343 to learn about flexible payment options. Visit sdge.com/coronavirus for updates on the coronavirus pandemic and how SDG&E is helping, and learn more about SDG&E’s assistance programs at sdge.com/assistance.

Article 3 (translated): ¿HA SIDO AFECTADO FINANCIERAMENTE POR COVID-19?

SDG&E alienta a sus clientes afectados por la pandemia COVID-19 a averiguar si califican para ahorros de facturas de 30% o más y otra asistencia disponible.

Con la pandemia de coronavirus causando dificultades financieras para muchas personas y familias en la región, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) está alentando a aquellos que están necesitados a solicitar en línea para los programas de descuento de facturas, lo que puede ahorrarles 30% o más en su factura de servicios públicos. Muchas personas que antes no podían aprovechar estos programas basados en los ingresos quizás podrán calificar debido a la pérdida de salarios, incluso si están recibiendo beneficios de desempleo. Estos programas incluyen:

  1. Programa de Tarifas Alternas para Energía en California(CARE, por sus siglas en inglés): Ofrece un 30% o más de descuento en las facturas de SDG&E. La calificación se basa en la participación en ciertos programas de asistencia pública o ingresos familiares a partir de hoy. Solicite en com/CARE.
  2. Programa Familiar de Reducción de Tarifas Eléctricas (FERA, por sus siglas en inglés): Si un cliente no califica para CARE, puede calificar para FERA, que proporciona a los hogares con ingresos calificados de tres o más con una tarifa eléctrica reducida (18% de descuento) en su factura mensual. Obtenga más información en com/FERA.
  3. Programa de Asistencia a Hogares de Escasos Recursos para Gastos de Energía(LIHEAP, por sus siglas en inglés): Un programa financiado por el gobierno federal que ayuda a los hogares de bajos ingresos con sus facturas de energía. Encuentre detalles en com/LIHEAP.

SDG&E insta a los clientes que tienen dificultades para pagar su factura de servicios públicos a llamar a su Centro de Atención al Cliente al 1-800-411-7343 para aprender sobre opciones de pago flexibles. Visite sdge.com/coronavirus  para obtener actualizaciones sobre la pandemia de coronavirus y cómo SDG&E está ayudando, y obtenga más información sobre los programas de asistencia de SDG&E en sdge.com/assistance.

Article 4: LOWER YOUR HOME ENERGY USE AND COSTS

The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted families across the world and has resulted in more families staying at home due to California’s shelter-in-place order. However, more time at home doesn’t mean you have to see high energy bills. SDG&E is committed to helping their customers reduce energy bills during this challenging time. They have a webpage filled with tips, tools and programs that can help you reduce your energy use while at home. What’s more, you can also join 800,000 customers on the Time-of-Use pricing plan and say goodbye to high usage charges. For energy-saving tips, visit sdge.com/whenmatters-save and to learn more about pricing plans, visit sdge.com/whenmatters.

Article 4 (translated): REDUZCA EL USO Y LOS COSTOS DE ENERGÍA DE SU HOGAR
La pandemia COVID-19 ha impactado a familias en todo el mundo y ha dado lugar a que más familias se queden en su hogar debido al mandato de quedarse en casa en California. Sin embargo, más tiempo en casa no significa que usted tiene que ver facturas de energía más altas. SDG&E se compromete a ayudar a sus clientes a reducir las facturas de energía durante este tiempo difícil. Tienen una página web llena de consejos, herramientas y programas que pueden ayudarle a reducir su consumo de energía mientras está en su hogar. Además, también puede unirse a 800.000 clientes en planes tarifarios según el Horario de Uso y decir adiós a cargos por consumo elevado. Para obtener más información sobre los planes tarifarios, visite sdge.com/lahoraimporta.

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