UGI Utilities, Inc. has issued a warning to customers about sponsored online advertisements created by scammers that appear in search results and direct people to fraudulent phone numbers. The utility company reported that these deceptive ads have tricked customers into calling wrong numbers when seeking assistance, including during potential gas leak emergencies. In several instances, customers who detected the smell of natural gas called the scam phone numbers listed in these ads and were misled into believing they needed to pay for leak investigation services.
UGI emphasizes that there is never any cost to customers for the company to investigate potential gas leaks. The proper procedure when smelling natural gas is to evacuate immediately, move at least the length of a football field away from the area, and then call UGI at 800-276-2722 or 911. The scam advertisements have also targeted customers seeking account assistance. UGI confirms that there is only one legitimate phone number for customer service and account inquiries: 800-276-2722. The company serves more than 760,000 natural gas and electric customers and provides additional information at https://www.ugi.com.
This warning aligns with ongoing alerts from the Federal Trade Commission about scammers creating sponsored ads that appear in online searches and social media platforms containing fraudulent contact information. The practice poses significant safety risks, particularly when customers experiencing gas emergencies might delay calling proper authorities while contacting scam numbers. UGI reiterates that customers should only use the official company number for all communications and report any suspicious advertisements to appropriate authorities. The implications of this scam extend beyond financial fraud, potentially endangering lives when customers facing gas leaks are diverted from legitimate emergency services.
The importance of this announcement lies in the critical safety implications for utility customers who may encounter these fraudulent advertisements during genuine emergencies. When customers search for utility contact information online, they may encounter these sponsored ads that appear legitimate but direct to scam operators. This creates dangerous delays in emergency response, as customers waste precious time contacting fraudulent numbers instead of reaching UGI's legitimate emergency line or 911. The company's warning serves as a crucial reminder for customers to verify contact information through official channels rather than relying on search engine results that may be compromised by paid advertisements.
This development highlights the evolving tactics of scammers who exploit digital advertising platforms to target vulnerable consumers during critical moments. The fraudulent ads not only attempt to extract payments for services that should be free but also create potentially life-threatening situations by diverting emergency calls. Customers should be aware that legitimate utility companies like UGI never charge for leak investigations and maintain consistent, verified contact information. The company's proactive warning demonstrates the growing challenge of digital fraud in essential services and the need for increased consumer vigilance when seeking emergency assistance online.
