HARRISBURG, Ill. (Heartland News) - As the holiday season approaches, Ameren Illinois is warning customers to be on the lookout for scammers posing as utility workers, including some who have reportedly gone door to door in southern Illinois.
The company brought that message to seniors in Harrisburg on Tuesday, November 10, sharing ways to recognize a potential scam before handing over money or personal information.
Jennifer Lee, a community relations executive with Ameren Illinois, said scammers can be convincing, especially when they appear to represent a familiar company.
“It has been reported even in southern Illinois, some individuals coming door to door that are saying they are [Ameren] employees or they work with [Ameren], and they’re actually not,” Lee said.
She explained that legitimate Ameren employees carry identification with their name and photograph, typically wear clothing with the company logo and often drive marked vehicles.
Customers who are unsure whether someone is an employee can call Ameren to verify their identity.
But Lee said one of the biggest warning signs has nothing to do with what a person is wearing. It’s how quickly they want you to act.
“If someone is trying to create a sense of urgency and wanting them to act quickly, that’s a red flag,” Lee said.
She encouraged residents to slow down, ask questions and verify information before making any decisions.
Ameren also warns customers never to give financial information to unexpected callers or visitors, or purchase prepaid cards to avoid a threatened service disconnection.
Customers can contact Ameren Illinois directly at 1-800-755-5000 to verify whether someone claiming to represent the company is legitimate.
Lee said people should never feel pressured to continue a suspicious conversation. They can hang up the phone or close the door.
The presentation comes ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 18, part of a nationwide effort to help utility customers recognize fraud.
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