ShooFlyPower Shut-Off Text Scam
A text says your electricity will be cut off today unless you pay an overdue balance. Utilities don't work that way: it's a scam to take a fast payment.
What It Looks Like
Final notice: your electric service will be disconnected today due to an overdue balance. Pay now to avoid disconnection: [link removed]
The wording, amounts and company change, but the pattern stays the same.
How to Tell It's Fake
- Utilities send written notices by mail before any shut-off.
- It doesn't name your power company.
- Call the number on your bill, not one in a text.
How to Check for Real
Call the number on a paper bill, or sign in to your utility's website or app yourself. Never use the link or phone number in the message.
If You Already Tapped or Paid
- Call the number on the back of your card and say it was used on a scam site. They can cancel it and send a new one.
- Watch your statements for charges you don't recognize, and dispute them.
- Don't pay any “fee” the site asks for again, and ignore follow-up texts.
Acting in the first hour gives you the best chance of stopping charges.
Report It
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). It goes to your phone carrier, who uses it to block the sender.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Then delete it, and block the number.
Not Sure About a Text?
ShooFly checks any text, letter, link or caller in seconds, right on your phone, and tells you what to do next. It also sends scam texts like this one to Junk before you see them. Free.