# Crossed Wires: Utility Scams Target Consumers

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-perfect-scam-550137/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-perfect-scam-550137/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers.md
Podcast: [The Perfect Scam](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-perfect-scam-550137)
Published: 2026-05-15T04:01:00+00:00
Episode link: https://perfectscam.libsyn.com/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/perfectscam/tps_s24_ep255_Utility_Scam_final_mix_3.mp3?dest-id=684119
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-perfect-scam-550137/episodes/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers
Duration seconds: 3035

## Resource

Fed up with the rising cost of electricity, Steve shops around and switches to a new provider in his Boston neighborhood. The process is simple, and Steve thinks the matter is settled until a week later, when he receives a call from his previous provider claiming he is in danger of having his electricity cut off. Steve initially dismisses it as a scam, but the caller seems to know all about his recent switch. What follows is an hours-long back-and-forth, with Steve passed between agents posing as representatives from two power companies. Frustrated and angry, Steve ultimately buys $900 worth of gift cards in the hope of keeping his electricity flowing. This sophisticated scam is one of a number of scams involving utility companies threatening to cut off basic services. Monica Martinez, the executive director for Utilities United Against Scams, shares tips on how to spot utilities-related scams. To learn more about utility scams, visit: aarp.org/utilityscams

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-perfect-scam-550137/episodes/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-perfect-scam-550137/crossed-wires-utility-scams-target-consumers.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.