ComEd Warns Against Local Scams

Press release from the Village of Flossmor:

ComEd is warning customers of new scams that has emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from ComEd, in the latest scam, an individual may pose as an employee from ComEd, another utility or a tree service company. They lure residents or small-business owners outside to discuss work that they claim needs to be completed. While the homeowner or small business owner is outside, an accomplice will enter the home or business to steal money, valuables and documents containing the individual’s personal or financial information.

Scammers are also increasing their efforts to take advantage of vulnerable customers who may be struggling to pay their bills. These imposters prey on customers’ financial burdens by falsely threatening to shut off service unless a direct payment is made with a prepaid cash card. In other attempts, scammers send emails to businesses and request that they send ComEd payments to fake payment web sites.

Here are some tips to help identify and avoid scams

• ComEd will never come to a customer’s home or business to:
  • Demand a payment
  • Ask for immediate payment with a prepaid cash card
  • Ask for their ComEd account number or other personal information, such as a driver’s license number
• ComEd will never call a customer to:
  • Ask for their account number
  • Ask for personal information such as their Social Security number or bank information
  • Ask them to make a direct payment with a prepaid cash card
• To identify an actual ComEd employee, remember:
  • All ComEd field employees wear a uniform including a shirt and safety vest with the ComEd logo
  • ComEd employees visibly display a company ID badge with the ComEd logo and employee’s name.

A ComEd worker who is unable to access equipment, such as the meter or pedestal transformer, may knock on a customer’s door. Any customer who is unsure whether a visitor or caller is a ComEd employee or believes he or she has been a target or victim of a scam should call 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) immediately. To learn more, visit ComEd.com/ScamAlert.

This press release was produced by the Village of Flossmor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.