Impersonating a utility employee
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Any person, other than an employee of a public utility or district as defined in Sections 216 and 11503 of the Public Utilities Code, respectively, who presents themselves to a utility or district customer with the intent of fraudulently personating an employee of a public utility or district, or of fraudulently inducing the belief that they are an employee of a public utility or district, or who and credibly impersonates an employee of a public utility or district on an internet website, by other electronic means, or by any other means, for purposes of defrauding another, is guilty of a and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed six months, or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit conduct that arguably constitutes protected activity under state labor law or the National Labor Relations Act (Title 29, United States Code, Section 151 and following).
History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 126, Sec. 5. (SB 805) Effective September 20, 2025.
Simplified explanation
Presenting oneself to a utility customer to fraudulently pose as a public utility or district employee, or credibly impersonating one to defraud, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail.