Some Ameren employees are getting ready to hit the streets in the Danville area to warn businesses about scams. Ameren employees plan to visit 20 to 30 area businesses on Wednesday, October 17th, to discuss the common red flags and warning signs of a scam.
The most common utility scam scenario involves a person who poses as an Ameren Illinois representative, calls a customer, and threatens to disconnect service if the customer does not make an immediate payment. Small businesses are often targeted because they yield higher dollar amounts than individual residential accounts.
Since Ameren Illinois started tracking utility scams in 2014, more than 4,000 customers have reported being contacted by a scammer. The company says it has resulted in upwards of $140-thousand dollars being paid out. This year alone, more than 700 Ameren customers have been contacted by a scammer to date.
