Don't Fall for Scammers Pretending to be Utilities

Ameren customers should be aware of telephone, mail, email, door-to-door, and other in-person scams that involve criminals posing as Ameren representatives and demanding immediate payment or personal information.

New Scam Alerts

Senior Discount Scam

Ameren is alerting its customers to have a heightened awareness of a new utility scam that is currently targeting seniors in Illinois and Missouri. Customers are contacted primarily on the phone by scammers offering a special discounted rate of $29.99, which is sometimes called a "senior discount." The scammers pose as Ameren representatives, often suggesting a special rate in lieu of paying a customer's full monthly statement amount.

Smart Meters Scam

Ameren Missouri is upgrading electric meters to new smart meters to benefit all customers as part of the company’s Smart Energy Plan, and scammers are trying to take advantage of this. Recently, Ameren Missouri has seen an increase in the number of customers reporting a scam call asking for a deposit or payment ahead of a smart meter installation. The thieves may even falsely claim that the existing meter is not safe.

If a customer receives a suspected scam call, they should hang up immediately and call Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583 or Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 to report it. Ameren is also encouraging family and friends that have seniors in their lives to share the information in an effort to protect them if they do receive a call.

Scammers are:

Impersonating Ameren

Impersonating Ameren representatives (over the phone and in-person), targeting vulnerable demographics such as senior citizens and non-native English-speaking persons or those searching for employment.

Disconnection Threats

Threatening to disconnect utility service if payment is not received within an hour or two. Often they state a utility service person is on the way to shut off the power.

Immediate Payment

Requesting immediate payment via pre-paid money card, credit card, or bank account information.

How to Spot a Scam

Know the different forms of scams such as phone calls, text messages, in-person, and online tactics to target customers into providing personal information or payment.
Scammers often pose as Ameren employees, threatening to disconnect or shut off service if a customer fails to make an immediate payment – typically using a prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment.
They also often mask incoming calls as coming from Ameren on caller ID systems, and then give a different phone number to make a payment.
Scammers seize the opportunity to target customers during busy or high-anxiety times such as the holiday season.
Fake case number and/or fake truck identification number: Scammers are known to record a voice message and use it to trick customers into thinking they've called the utility company. The scammer gives a fake case number and/or fake identification number of a company truck that is in the vicinity of the customer's home.
Equipment or repair bogus fee: Scammers may call demanding a separate payment to replace or install a utility-related device or meter.
Overpayment trick: Scammers call claiming that you've overpaid your utility bill and need to provide personal bank account information or a credit card number to facilitate a refund.

Beware of hiring scams

Ameren contacts candidates by phone or by email. Legitimate offers of employment and/or communication around job opportunities will not be sent through email services like Gmail or Hotmail. Protect yourself and your information.

Delete And Block Emails

Delete and block any emails from utilities that are not your service provider.

Do Not Pay Caller

Do not give the caller or visitor a prepaid card, such as a Green Dot card, a wire transfer, or any other form of payment that may be difficult for law enforcement officials to trace.

Door-To-Door

If someone comes to your door and claims to be a utility worker, ask to see an employee ID and call us if you want to confirm the purpose of the visit.

Hang Up

Hang up the phone, or close the door, and call Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583.

Ignore Suspicious Requests

Ignore suspicious requests for personal information such as bank account numbers, user names and passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers.

Suspicious Emails

Delete all suspicious emails that require immediate action to verify or demand personal information.

Utilities United

Ameren has joined nearly 100 utilities nationwide to raise awareness of scam tactics and educate customers before they become victims. In coordination with this effort, the third Wednesday in November has been designated as Utilities United Against Scams Day.

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