Southwest Gas Shares Tips to Help Customers Avoid Utility Impersonation Scams

Category: Corporate
September 30, 2026
 

LAS VEGAS, NV –With impersonation scams increasing against consumers across the country, Southwest Gas is reminding customers how to recognize legitimate employees and authorized contractors while protecting themselves from increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, utility impersonation scams remain among the most reported forms of fraud. Scammers frequently pose as utility representatives, using threats of service disconnection or demands for immediate payment to pressure customers into sharing personal information or sending money.

Since Southwest Gas employees and authorized contractors routinely work in neighborhoods throughout Arizona, Nevada, and California to inspect, maintain, and improve natural gas infrastructure, the Company wants customers to know how to verify the identity of individuals claiming to represent Southwest Gas.

Southwest Gas employees and authorized contractors may need access to a customer’s property or may contact a customer by phone for a variety of valid reasons:

  • To locate and mark gas lines before digging nearby
  • To inspect and maintain current pipes, meters and other natural gas equipment
  • To access meters to ensure accurate billing and service purposes
  • To restore service following an outage
  • To inquire about a past due bill or to help set up a payment plan
  • Demand immediate payment in person
  • Request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or other peer-to-peer payment platforms
  • Request personal or financial information through unsolicited emails
  • Threaten immediate service disconnection without proper notification procedures

As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, Southwest Gas continues to educate the public about natural gas safety and consumer fraud prevention. Helping customers identify legitimate utility personnel is important not only for preventing scams, but also for supporting the safety of employees and contractors performing critical work in local communities.
 

"Our employees and authorized contractors work in demanding and often unpredictable conditions to provide safe and reliable natural gas service to the communities we serve.” said Justin Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Gas. “Safety is the foundation of our culture and informs every decision we make. We encourage customers to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent Southwest Gas, because protecting our customers, employees, and communities requires both vigilance and trust. By knowing what to look for, customers can help prevent fraud while ensuring our teams can safely perform their important work.”

Customers that suspect a scam or are uncertain about an individual claiming to represent Southwest Gas should end the interaction immediately and call 877-860-6020 to verify whether work is being performed in their area or if the Company needs information from them.
 

About Southwest Gas

Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while pursuing innovative sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit www.swgas.com. 

Media Contact:
Amy Washburn
602-763-3289
CorpComms@swgas.com