Illinois Utilities Join Forces to Make Customers Aware of Scam Artists Posing as Utility Workers
May 07 2015 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Warmer temperatures lead to increased scam
activity
The arrival of warmer temperatures are always welcomed, but
sometimes they also bring about an increase in unwelcomed
solicitations by scam artists. ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and
North Shore Gas are joining forces to warn Illinois customers to be
on alert for scam artists posing as utility representatives.
The Better Business Bureau states that the number of reported
scams generally rises with warmer weather. Nationally, there has
been an uptick in people claiming to be utility company workers
over the past several years. In fact, they are scam artists who
pose as utility workers and who usually target customers through
door-to-door visits and phone calls.
With the door-to-door scams, someone impersonating a utility
worker will visit customers’ homes looking to get personal and/or
account information, and in some cases enter into the customer’s
home. Variations of the phone scam include stories that the
customer’s billing cycle has changed and payment is needed
immediately; the account is past due and immediate payment is
required to avoid disconnection of service; or that the customer’s
previous payments were not accepted or processed. In those cases,
the scammers instruct customers to buy a prepaid credit card and
direct them to call back with the personal identification number
(PIN).
“We want our customers to be informed and avoid becoming victims
to this type of scam. That’s why we have teamed up with Peoples,
North Shore and Nicor Gas to shine a light on this fraudulent
activity and create a greater awareness amongst all of our
customers,” said Fidel Marquez, senior vice president of
Governmental and External Affairs, ComEd.
“Safety for people, pipelines and the public is always our
number-one priority,” said Jim Griffin, vice president for
operations, Nicor Gas. “In addition to our commitment to the safe,
reliable delivery of natural gas, we take seriously the protection
of our customer’s personal information. We are aware of and
continually monitor scams that could negatively impact the
communities we serve.”
“Raising awareness of possible scams is one way we aim to
protect our customers and their personal information from
fraudsters and identity theft,” said Larry Szumski, vice president,
Customer Relations. “We urge our customers to contact their utility
or the police if there is any doubt a caller or worker is
genuine.”
The utility companies also are reminding customers that
representatives from their company always carry proper
identification and never ask customers for cash or personal
financial information.
"Fighting scams and rip-offs requires a unified effort from the
entire community,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. "We’re
asking everybody to be their own best consumer advocates. Tell your
neighbors to be skeptical anytime a person calls or knocks on the
door claiming to be from the electric or gas company. Utility
workers will never go door-to-door or call you seeking personal
financial information.”
Anyone who believes he or she has been a target of a phone scam
is urged to contact the Illinois Attorney General’s office toll
free at 1-800-386-5438 (TTY 1-800-964-3013) or visit the Illinois
Attorney General’s web site at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov and
click on the link “Protecting Consumers.”
Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few
precautions:
- Never provide social security or
personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming
to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to
another person or entity other than your local utility
providers.
- Always ask to see a company photo ID
before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
- When in doubt, check it out. Be
skeptical of individuals wearing clothing with old or defaced
company logos. If you have any doubts, ask to see a company photo
ID.
- Never make payment for services to
anyone coming to the door.
- If customers have concerns about the
status of their account, they can also contact their local utility
providers:
- ComEd 1-800-EDISON1
- Nicor Gas 1-888-NICOR4U
- Peoples Gas 866-556-6001
- North Shore Gas 866-556-6004
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based
Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive
energy provider, with approximately 7.8 million customers. ComEd
provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across
northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For
more information visit ComEd.com, and
connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Nicor Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE:
GAS), is a natural gas distribution company that serves more than 2
million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of
the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For
more information, visit www.nicorgas.com.
Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:
TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves
approximately 831,000 residential, commercial and industrial
customers in the city of Chicago. For more information about
Peoples Gas, visit the company's website:
www.peoplesgasdelivery.com.
North Shore Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc.
(NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that
serves approximately 159,000 residential, commercial and industrial
customers located in 54 communities within the northern suburbs of
Chicago. For more information about North Shore Gas, visit
www.northshoregasdelivery.com.
ComEd Media Relations312-394-3500
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