Getting a utility bill is already a pretty unpleasant process in 2026. That LAST thing you need is some kind of criminal pretending to be the electric company and trying to steal what little money you have left.

Unfortunately, utility scams are a real problem, and Lubbock residents are no stranger to them.

According to KCBD, LP&L warned customers back in 2020 about scam calls, where scammers would threaten to disconnect your electricity unless you paid them immediately.

And, over the years, these scammers have gotten better at their jobs. Leaps and bounds made with AI certainly don’t help. These scams can be pretty convincing.

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The FTC warns that criminals are out there impersonating utility companies in all sorts of ways. Emails. Calls. Text messages. And even in-person visits. Bold.

They might tell you that you missed a payment or threaten to cut off your service unless you make a payment with them immediately.

Here’s how to protect yourself from scammers like this in the 806:Do NOT panic. Scammers want you to be scared enough to think without acting.NEVER click a suspicious link. EVER. Don’t do it. It could lead you to a fraudulent website.NEVER pay for anything with gift cards or cryptocurrency. Your utility company would not ask you to do such a thing.Verify EVERYTHING. Contact your utility provider directly if you get a bad feeling.

For the City of Lubbock Utilities billing questions, call 806-775-2509. (It might be worth saving that number in your phone, just in case.)

And remember:

Just because someone knows your name and address does NOT mean they are legitimate. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, and it’s at least worth asking someone about before it’s too late.

The only person who should actually be robbing you blind is the real utility company. (KIDDING. Not..)

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