www.ameren.com
icn_chevron-right
Back to Media Room

News Releases

Consumers Beware of Scammers Using Ameren's Name

ST. LOUIS, March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of National Consumer Protection Week, Ameren is warning customers in Missouri and Illinois to be aware of scam artists who are using Ameren's name illegally.

Last year an estimated 1,400 Ameren customers were affected by phone scams totaling more than $23,000. The majority of scams reported to Ameren threatened disconnection of utility service unless a payment was made immediately from a pre-paid money card over the phone. Some thieves have even come right to customer doors.

"We've received reports of scam artists coming to homes and businesses suggesting that there are problems with electrical equipment," said Tim Reagan, director of corporate security at Ameren. "Scammers will demand payment for repairs that don't exist. We never demand payment at a customer's home or business."

Ameren offers these tips against scammers:

  • Ameren never demands personal, account or financial information for immediate payment. Never give your credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or saving account numbers to anyone who comes to your home, calls or sends an email requesting this information.
  • Ameren field employees do not accept payments.
  • Never let anyone into your home claiming to be from the utility unless they show proper Ameren badge identification.
  • Ameren never sends emails that include attachments, unless you've contacted us to specifically request information. Never open attachments unless you've contacted Ameren and are expecting to receive information.

Ameren continues to work with federal, state and local authorities to investigate utility scams. "We know how important it is to keep customers' information safe and secure, and we appreciate any information they can provide to help eliminate these scams altogether," said Reagan.

If you suspect someone is impersonating an Ameren employee, end the conversation and immediately call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583. Customers can also follow Ameren on social media to receive the latest updates on scams.

St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric delivery and transmission service as well as natural gas delivery service while Ameren Missouri provides vertically integrated electric service, with generating capacity of 10,300 megawatts, and natural gas delivery service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops regional electric transmission projects. Follow the company on Twitter @AmerenCorp. For more information, visit Ameren.com.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                             

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-beware-of-scammers-using-amerens-name-300043918.html

SOURCE Ameren Corporation