Ameren Illinois warns of rise in online scams – how to avoid them

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Ameren is warning customers of an increase in online scams targeting customers in Illinois.

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This comes after a growing number of fraudulent website listings mimicking the company’s website. It includes fake contact phone numbers and email addresses. Once the customer uses the fake contact, a scammer posing as an Ameren representative will ask for account information or other additional information. They will then request immediate payment, usually through a cash payment app.

“Unfortunately, these scammers continue to find new tactics to trick utility customers into providing payments to them or by obtaining their personal information,” said Maria Gomez, security supervisor for Ameren. “As new technology and the use of digital products increase, so do opportunities for these thieves to deceive our customers.”

Ameren said they will never require immediate payment and advised people to look for misspelled words or web address links that don’t appear legitimate. They encourage customers to go directly to Ameren.com or call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000 rather than use a search engine.

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Here is further advice from Ameren to help protect against scammers:

  • Beware of false urgency. Scammers often push customers to act immediately. Ameren will never require immediate payment.

  • Look for errors in web listings. Search results that have misspelled words or web address links are likely not credible.

  • Don’t buy prepaid cards and avoid payment apps. Never purchase a prepaid card or make a Zelle, Cash App or Venmo transfer to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Ameren says customers can make payments online, by phone, electronic check, by mail or in-person.

  • If you’re suspicious, end the conversation. If you feel someone is impersonating an Ameren employee, stop speaking to them and call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000.

  • Report to your local police. If you have given money to a scammer or if you feel unsafe from an in-person interaction with a scammer, call your local authorities immediately.

Visit Ameren.com/stop-scams for more information. To check your account status and ongoing account visibility, sign up to manage your account online at Ameren.com.

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