A California family claims Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) shut off their electricity for six days during triple-digit heat, forcing them to live in a trailer while falsely accusing them of energy fraud. The family, from Fresno, lost power around the Fourth of July.
Initially, Jessica Sicairos, the homeowner, was told by PG&E that her service was disconnected due to unpaid bills. However, the utility company later accused the family of tampering with their electric meter and committing energy fraud. Sicairos stated she was not responsible for the accusations and believed the issue stemmed from the wrong meter being installed, leading to them paying for the neighboring home's electricity.
Sicairos discovered the power outage while shopping on July 4 and was unable to get a clear explanation from the utility company when she called. "We’ve been suffering trying to make the best of the situation. It’s very hot," she told FOX 26.
After the media outlet contacted PG&E regarding the family's situation, a company representative stated that crews would restore power while the investigation continued. "They are coming today. I do not want you to be without power while I continue the Investigation," the representative said to the Sicairos family.
While the electricity was eventually restored, Sicairos expressed frustration over what she described as repeated false accusations from PG&E employees, including terms like "energy theft" and "meter crossing." She felt the company was attempting to shift blame.
PG&E issued an apology, with a representative saying, "I can only apologize for that. I can’t change what’s happened, but I can fix it." The family noted that once the power returned, they experienced relief from the heat. They also believe PG&E missed opportunities to identify the meter mix-up before disconnecting their service. The family hopes their experience will encourage other customers to review their utility bills and electric meters, and to question any unexpected charges or accusations.