$470M
FTC-reported losses to text scams in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $470 million to text scams in 2024, more than five times the amount reported in 2020.
Utility disconnection warning text scam
A text says electricity or gas will be disconnected within hours unless a payment is made through a mobile link.
“utility scam”
↑ 649%Key indicators
Usually targetsHouseholds
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-03
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~12%
Annual reports300,000
Scam breakdown
1
Attackers send bulk messages that mimic trusted brands, agencies, or service providers.
2
Victims click through while distracted and land on a realistic fake page or callback flow.
3
Stolen credentials, cards, or codes are used quickly before the target notices.
What to do first
Contact the utility using the number on your statement.
Related terms
power shutoff smishgas bill text scamSmishingSMSSurgingHouseholdsSmall businessesSmall business ownersUnited StatesCanadapower shutoff smishgas bill text scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Robert, 35, a households, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate smishing situation while using SMS. Attackers send bulk messages that mimic trusted brands, agencies, or service providers.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims click through while distracted and land on a realistic fake page or callback flow.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen credentials, cards, or codes are used quickly before the target notices.
The outcome
Robert realized something was wrong when the message threatens immediate shutoff outside normal support hours.. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Contact the utility using the number on your statement. Robert's experience shows why the message threatens immediate shutoff outside normal support hours. and the message creates panic around payment failure, account loss, or a small urgent charge. are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The message threatens immediate shutoff outside normal support hours.
- The message creates panic around payment failure, account loss, or a small urgent charge.
- The link or phone number is embedded directly in the text instead of the official app.
- Do not tap the link or call the number in the message. Open the real app or type the real website yourself.
- Treat texts that demand immediate verification, unpaid fees, or account lockout as untrusted until verified in the official channel.
- Look closely at the domain, short link, or sender ID. Small mismatches matter.
What to do now
- ✓Contact the utility using the number on your statement.
- ✓Do not tap the link or call the number from the message itself.
- ✓Open the official app or website manually and verify the alert there.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Screenshot the full message, sender ID, short link, and any follow-up call requests.
- ✓Keep records of any number you called back, pages you visited, and codes you entered.
- ✓If you paid or submitted credentials, document the time, device, and account used before you change access.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC top text scams 2024
92,520
Telephone and mobile services reports in 2024
FTC's Data Book shows 92,520 reports in the telephone and mobile services category for 2024.
5
Top text-scam families tracked by FTC
FTC says the leading text scam themes in 2024 were fake package delivery, fake job opportunities, fraud alerts, toll payment texts, and wrong-number scams.
History and evolution
- Text-message scams grew with mobile banking, package tracking, toll systems, and everyday app-based account verification.
- The tactic keeps mutating because scammers only need one believable reason for the victim to tap before they think.
- Smishing thrives because tiny payment amounts and time pressure reduce skepticism.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Contact the utility using the number on your statement.
- ✓Do not tap the link or call the number from the message itself.
Why this pattern keeps working
Smishing works because texts feel immediate and legitimate. The scammer's job is to make you react before you switch to the real bank, delivery, or toll app.
The exact brand changes constantly, but the attack chain stays the same: urgent message, fake page, credentials or payment, then fast follow-on account abuse.
Smishing thrives because tiny payment amounts and time pressure reduce skepticism.
Expanded launch family for text-message scam coverage.
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Households, Small businesses
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
SMS — Smishing
Why this group is vulnerable
Households are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-03. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Smishing thrives because tiny payment amounts and time pressure reduce skepticism.
Source notes
- Expanded launch family for text-message scam coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about utility disconnection warning text scam
How does the utility disconnection warning text scam work?+
Attackers send bulk messages that mimic trusted brands, agencies, or service providers. Victims click through while distracted and land on a realistic fake page or callback flow. Stolen credentials, cards, or codes are used quickly before the target notices.
What are the warning signs of utility disconnection warning text scam?+
The message threatens immediate shutoff outside normal support hours. The message creates panic around payment failure, account loss, or a small urgent charge. The link or phone number is embedded directly in the text instead of the official app.
What should I do if I encounter utility disconnection warning text scam?+
Contact the utility using the number on your statement. Do not tap the link or call the number from the message itself. Open the official app or website manually and verify the alert there.
Who is most at risk for utility disconnection warning text scam?+
This scam primarily targets Households, Small businesses. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on SMS.
Is utility disconnection warning text scam getting worse?+
Utility disconnection warning text scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-03.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Smishing
↑ 27%Bank verification text phishing scam
A text message claims a suspicious bank event happened and pushes the victim to a fake login page before they stop to verify the sender.
What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
Targets
Mobile banking users
Seen in
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Smishing
→ 0%Unpaid toll road text scam
A text claims you owe a small toll balance and must pay immediately or face late penalties.
What to do first
Check toll balances from the official site or app, not the text.
Targets
Drivers
Seen in
U.S.
Smishing
↑ 100%Package redelivery text scam
A delivery text says a parcel cannot be delivered until you confirm address details and pay a small redelivery fee.
What to do first
Open the courier site manually and check tracking there.
Targets
Online shoppers
Seen in
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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