News Releases

Spot scam red flags, from fake websites to urgent deadlines

Key Takeaways:

• Scammers may try to impersonate Ameren co-workers to collect personal information or payments from customers.
• Customers should be on alert for common scams, including fake emails and websites, voice cloning, and robo calls.
• When in doubt, always call Ameren first at 1.800.552.7583 for Missouri or 1-800.755.5000 for Illinois to confirm whether a request is legitimate.

ST. LOUIS (June 23, 2026) – As scammers leverage powerful AI techniques to create convincing frauds, Ameren provides helpful tips on how to avoid common scams that target utility customers.

Scams today are increasingly more convincing, which makes them harder to detect. Common tactics include official-looking emails, texts and websites; voice cloning that sounds like a real representative; fake online ads that appear when people search for help with energy bill payment; and robo calls that record a customer’s voice for scammers to misuse later as “verbal approval” for other unauthorized purchases.

“Scammers can use AI and other tactics to pretend to be representatives of Ameren in an attempt to get financial or personal information from our customers,” said Ken Cox, director of corporate security and crisis management at Ameren. “We never want our customers to fall prey to scammers, so we’re reminding people of some tips that can keep them and their information protected.”

Ameren is being proactive by scanning websites, social media, paid ads and other sources to identify fraudulent schemes before they have widespread impact. Customers can also take their own steps to avoid falling victim to a scam:

• Slow down. Scammers stoke fear by creating a sense of urgency, but it’s important to take a moment before clicking a link, scanning a QR code, making a payment or sharing information to evaluate whether the request is legitimate.
• Verify using a trusted number. Before responding to a questionable call, text or email, call Ameren using the phone number printed on your bill and not a number provided by the caller or shown on caller ID.
• Protect your personal information. Don’t share account details, passwords, PINs, one-time codes or payment information in response to an unexpected call, text or email.
• Ask for ID at the door. Ameren employees carry company-issued photo identification. If someone arrives at your home unexpectedly, ask to see their ID, do not let them inside, and call Ameren to confirm their identity.

Learn more about how to recognize and avoid common scams targeting utility customers at Ameren.com/StopScams.

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 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 transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.