The busy summer season has commenced, and scammers are using sophisticated new strategies to target utility customers with the goal of stealing money or obtaining personal and financial information.
“Scammers tend to increase their activity when summer temperatures are at their hottest and when you’re most reliant on your air conditioner,” said Carlos Ross, Security Manager for Ameren, adding “They also aim to reach customers when they are busy enjoying summer activities, such as vacations, traveling or attending social events, to create fear if an immediate payment is not made to them.”
Here are some tactics used by scammers, especially in the summer months:
- Scammers often create a sense of urgency, using language like ‘pay now or you’ll be disconnected,’ or presenting special discount offers to reduce the utility bill, if paying a portion immediately.
- Watch out for fake online contact phone numbers and website links that mimic official company contact information that directly links to scammers. Don’t trust online search engine results, especially when using a mobile device, to find contact information. Go directly to Ameren.com to get information or contact numbers.
- A sophisticated tactic includes masking incoming calls, so they appear to be from Ameren on caller ID systems and then giving a different phone number to make a payment.
- A newer tactic is the promise to reduce the utility bill, if users install solar panels on their houses. Scammers are going door-to-door to pitch fake solar offers.
How to protect against scams:
- Never act immediately to make a payment on the phone. Always hang up if being pressured to make an immediate payment and check the account on Ameren.com or call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583 to check the account status.
- Don’t give out personal or financial information. Scammers may ask for credit card, debit card, social security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers.
- Never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Legitimate utility companies do not specify how customers should make a bill payment and always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill. Ameren customers can make payments online, by phone, electronic check, by mail or at in-person pay locations.
- Act quickly if given the suspected scammer money. Contact the local police department to file a report.
