Ameren Illinois is warning its business and residential customers to be on the alert for scams. Posing as electric, water or natural gas company employees, scammers threaten to disconnect or shut off service if customers do not make an immediate payment by prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment.
The company has been seeing an increase in scam attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘’The economic hardship caused by COVID-19 has left many customers vulnerable to these schemes,’’ said Mary Heger, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience for Ameren Illinois. She notes Ameren Illinois has temporarily suspended service disconnections for non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘’It is more important than ever that customers are vigilant in protecting themselves and their personal information,’’ said Heger.
Ameren says you should never give your credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers to anyone who calls, sends an email, or comes to your home requesting that information.
- Don’t trust anyone demanding immediate payment. Ameren Illinois will never call or email to demand immediate payment. If you suspect that someone is impersonating an Ameren Illinois employee, end the conversation and immediately call Ameren at 1-800-755-5000.
- Never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shut-off, says Ameren. Legitimate utility companies don’t specify how customers should make a bill payment, and always offer a variety of ways to pay the bill. Ameren customers can make payments online, by phone, electronic check, mail, or at in-person payment locations.
For more information, visit www.Ameren.com/stop-scams.
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