Abusive marketing tactics targeting California energy consumers have led to a rise in complaints, particularly among disadvantaged communities, according to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC’s Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB) reported receiving 2,406 complaints related to Core Transport Agents (CTAs) in the first nine months of 2025. Nearly 70 percent of these complaints involved allegations of abusive marketing.
Core Transport Agents are companies authorized to sell natural gas to residential and small business customers. While many operate within regulations, some have been accused of misleading consumers by falsely claiming affiliation with utility companies or pressuring them into switching providers under false pretenses.
“In zip codes where many residents don’t speak English at home or where there’s a high concentration of older adults over 65 years old, complaint ‘hot spots’ light up on CAB’s maps,” said Linette Young, a CAB Senior Analyst. “These groups are particularly vulnerable to misleading claims, high-pressure sales, or where customers are switched to another provider without consent.”
The CPUC found that 40 percent of all abusive marketing complaints in 2025 originated from California’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. These areas often have median household incomes less than half the statewide average and include parts of Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Oakland, San Francisco, and Vallejo.
Abusive marketing practices cited include misrepresenting company affiliations and offering supposed discounts without disclosing additional charges. Older adults and those who do not speak English as their primary language are especially at risk.
To address these issues, the CPUC oversees utility companies and works through CAB to resolve consumer complaints. The commission also funds programs such as Telecommunications Education and Assistance in Multiple Languages (TEAM) and Community Help and Awareness of Natural Gas and Electric Services (CHANGES), which partner with community organizations to assist Limited English Proficiency consumers in understanding bills and reporting scams.
Consumers are encouraged to verify offers before agreeing to switch services and report suspected abuse to CAB. The CPUC can open investigations if patterns of misconduct emerge.
“If someone contacts you with a deal that sounds too good to be true, take your time. Ask questions. Verify the company’s name and whether they represent your utility. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Ask for the offer in writing before agreeing to anything. Read every document carefully,” advises the CPUC.
If consumers believe they have been misled by an energy marketer or salesperson, they are urged to contact the Consumer Affairs Branch so that potential abuses can be investigated further.
