ComEd Security reminds customers to be aware of scammers and frauds targeting both residential customers and small businesses across our service territory.
Phone scams 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).
ComEd Security has investigated each reported incident and is concerned with the unprecedented surge of scam attempts over the last few weeks. Over 80% of the reported scams in the last 30 days have been targeting small businesses. Scammers are requesting funds between $100-$300 from residential customers and $1,000 to $1,600 from small businesses.
ComEd wants to remind customers that representatives from the company always carry proper identification and never ask customers for cash or personal financial information. Also, ComEd will never call a customer to request cash or ask you to buy a prepaid credit card to pay a bill.
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 reach ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 to inquire about details on their account or report a possible scam.
The press release below has additional details related to possible scams.