Ameren Illinois warns residents of possible fraud | Crime

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Ameren Illinois issued a warning Thursday of con artists trying to defraud customers and may be trying to steal identities by demanding payment by phone.

Ameren says the targets appear to be small businesses and residential customers.

“Ameren Illinois representatives never come to your business or home and demand payments or threaten to disconnect service unless they receive a payment," said Stan Ogden, vice president of Customer Service and Public Relations. "Our field representatives do not accept payments for service. Our representatives never call you and ask for company or personal information such as the name of your financial institution or checking account numbers."

According to Ameren Illinois, their employees carry identification that shows their picture, name, employee number and the official Ameren logo.

Ameren Illinois offers these suggestions:

• Customers who have questions about the identity of a utility worker should ask the person to wait outside while they call for verification. Customers then should phone Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.
• If a caller claims to be an Ameren Illinois representative and demands immediate payment over the phone or requests other personal information, hang up and call Ameren Illinois.
• Do not give anyone who comes to your business or home, anyone who calls or anyone who sends an e-mail your credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or saving account numbers for the purpose of collecting on your utility bill.
• If a customer suspects a person is impersonating a utility worker, the customer should end the conversation and immediately call local police and Ameren Illinois.
• Never let anyone in your business or home who wants to check your electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment with Ameren Illinois or have reported a natural gas leak and the person has proper identification.
• Phone the police if someone calls you and requests that you leave your home at a specific time for an alleged utility issue. The caller may be planning a burglary.
• If you believe an attempt has been made to defraud you or steal your identity, report the incident immediately to your local police department.

You can find more information about identity theft and fraud on the U.S. Department of Justice's website. For more information about Ameren Illinois, you can also visit them online.

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