Scammers Targeting ComEd Customers

Commonwealth Edison says scam attempts have had an “unprecedented surge” over the past few weeks, with more than 80 percent of reported scams in the past 30 days targeting small businesses.

Phone scammers have been impersonating ComEd representatives to trick people into giving them money, according to a letter from ComEd to customers.

Scammers tell customers their billing cycle has changed, the account is past due or the customer’s previous payments weren’t accepted. They ask for immediate payment and threaten to disconnect electric service.

Impersonators ask ComEd customers to buy a pre-paid credit card and to call back with the PIN. Scammers ask for between $100 and $300 from residential customers and between $1,000 and $1,600 from small businesses in the ComEd service territory, ComEd Security reported.

Official ComEd representatives always carry identification and never ask for cash or personal financial information. ComEd will never call a customer to ask for cash or a prepaid credit card to pay a bill, ComEd says.

ComEd offers the following tips to avoid being scammed:

• Never provide social security or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers.
• Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
• When in doubt, check it out. Be skeptical of individuals wearing clothing with old or defaced company logos. If you have any doubts, ask to see a company photo ID.
• Never make payment for services to anyone coming to the door.
• If customers ever have concerns about the status of their account, they can contact ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1

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 illinoisattorneygeneral.gov and click on the link “Protecting Consumers.”

ComEd customers can reach ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 to ask about account details or report a possible scam.

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