After winter weather events, BBB typically sees a rise in reports involving fake contractors, emergency plumbing scams, and utility impostors who pressure people to act quickly or pay upfront. Decreasing temperatures also allow utility scammers to take advantage of people’s fears of being without heat during cold weather. Most utility providers will not demand immediate payment by phone, text, or email or threaten shutoffs without prior written notice. In 2025, Texans reported more than $150,000 in losses to government agency imposter scams through BBB Scam Tracker. • Look-alike websites, logos and more – Impostors can create fake websites that look real, with the real company’s logo and images and a similar URL.