Illinois Utilities Join National Effort to Help Protect Customers from Scammers
November 16 2016 - 1:01PM
Business Wire
First-ever “Utilities United Against Scams Day”
brings together dozens of utilities from across the United States
and Canada
Illinois utilities – ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North
Shore Gas – have joined forces with dozens of natural gas and
electric utility companies across the United States and Canada,
including other Exelon utilities Atlantic City Electric, BGE,
Delmarva, PECO, and Pepco, to help protect customers from
wide-spread scams targeting customers of utility service
providers.
The cohort, known as Utilities United Against Scams
collaboration, have designated November 16th as “Utilities United
Against Scams Day.” This day will be supported by a week-long
campaign with content focused on exposing the tricks scammers use
to steal money from customers, and how customers can protect
themselves. The collaborative encourages the public to share these
messages to help guard against scam activity.
“ComEd is committed to helping our customers avoid becoming
victims to these fraudulent scams and we’re glad be a part of this
important national awareness campaign,” said Fidel Marquez,
senior vice president of Governmental and External Affairs,
ComEd. “Over the past year we have seen a tremendous increase
in phone impersonations where scam artists call customers claiming
to a utility representative. By joining with other utilities in
Illinois and across the country, we are raising greater awareness
among our customers and hopefully putting an end to these scams
once and for all.”
“Safety is our number-one value, and this important awareness
effort exemplifies our commitment to safety,” said Jim Griffin,
vice president of Operations, Nicor Gas. “Raising awareness and
informing customers of these dangerous scammers is critical in
putting a stop to their predatory and fraudulent tactics.”
“Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas care about the safety of our
customers,” said Michelle Rindt, vice president – customer
service, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. “Raising awareness of
possible scams and educating our customers are a few ways we aim to
protect them and their personal information from scammers.”
When being scammed, a customer typically receives an unsolicited
phone call from an individual who falsely claims to be a utility
representative. The scammer warns that the customer’s service will
be disconnected if the customer fails to make a payment – usually
within a short timeframe.
Scammers have even duplicated the upfront Interactive Voice
Response system, so when customers call back phone numbers provided
by the scammer, it sounds like a legitimate phone number. Some of
these criminals also use caller ID spoofing to replicate a customer
service number.
Red flags for scam activity
- The thief becomes angry and tells the
customer his or her account is past due and service will be
disconnected if a large payment isn’t made – usually within less
than an hour.
- The thief instructs the customer to
purchase a pre-paid debit or credit card – widely available at
retail stores – then call him or her back to supposedly make a
payment.
- The scammer asks the customer for the
prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant
access to the card’s funds.
How to protect customers
- Utility representatives will never ask
or require a customer with a delinquent account to immediately
purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
- Customers can make payments online, by
phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.
- Customers with delinquent accounts
receive an advance disconnection notification with the regular
monthly billing – never a single notification one hour before
disconnection.
- If you suspect someone is trying to
scam you, hang up and call the local police then call your local
utility. Never dial the phone number the scammers provide.
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.”
Don’t Get Scammed: 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 10 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 is one of seven natural gas distribution companies of
Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company
(NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.1 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 and North Shore Gas are both subsidiaries of WEC
Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) and regulated natural gas delivery
companies. Peoples Gas serves approximately 830,000 residential,
commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago. North
Shore Gas serves approximately 159,000 residential, commercial and
industrial customers in 54 communities within the northern suburbs
of Chicago. For more information about natural gas safety, energy
efficiency and other energy-related topics, visit
northshoregasdelivery.com, or www.peoplesgasdelivery.com.
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ComEd Media Relations(312) 394-3500
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