Ameren Missouri urges customers to stay vigilant during holiday season to protect against scams
Company provides several easy ways to safeguard against thieves attempting to steal money or information
With the holiday season in full swing, Ameren Missouri reminds its residential and business customers to not let their guard down and fall victim to scammers. The company urges customers to remain vigilant and know how to spot common utility scam tactics as scammers often increase their criminal activity during the holiday season because they know potential victims may be distracted by gatherings, holiday travel and more.
“One of the best ways customers can protect themselves is by learning how to recognize the latest scam tactics and reporting them to the appropriate authorities,” said Carlos Ross, manager of security for Ameren. “We often see an uptick in utility scams during the holiday season when customers may be rushed, paying less attention to warning signs or more concerned about finances. Scammers may call residential or business customers, threatening disconnection and demanding immediate payment, so it’s important to stay vigilant.”
Below are several of the tactics commonly used by scammers, especially during the holiday season:
Scammers often create a sense of urgency, using language like “pay now or you’ll be disconnected,” or presenting special discount offers to reduce your utility bill if you pay a portion immediately.
Scammers often pose as Ameren Missouri employees by using fake employee numbers or trying to mimic account information to legitimize their call.
A sophisticated tactic includes masking incoming calls, so they appear to be from Ameren Missouri on caller ID systems and then giving a different phone number to make a payment.
Scammers are creating fake search engine listings that include fraudulent customer service phone numbers for Ameren Missouri. They disguise themselves as company representatives to take payments or steal financial information. Customers should always go directly to Ameren.com to acquire legitimate contact numbers.
A relatively new tactic is the promise to reduce your utility bill if you install solar panels on your house. Scammers are going door to door to pitch fake solar offers.
Door Knocking Impostor: Door-to-door impostors pose as Ameren Missouri employees to request payment for an immediate service or install.
Social Media Charity Scam: Social media posts are telling customers that a charity will pay for their utility bills if the customer first makes a partial payment by money transfer.
Scammers offer unusual suggestions for forms of payment: downloading a cash app, bitcoin or locations of where to get cash cards.
Additionally, Ameren Missouri provides the following ways for customers to protect themselves from scammers during the busy holiday season:
Never give your credit card, debit card, social security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers to anyone who calls, sends a text message or email or comes to your home requesting this information.
Don't trust anyone asking for immediate payment. If you suspect someone is impersonating an Ameren employee, end the conversation and immediately call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583.
Never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. Legitimate utility companies do not specify how customers should make a bill payment and always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill. Ameren Missouri customers can make payments online, by phone, electronic check, by mail or at in-person pay locations.
For more information, please visit Ameren.com/stop-scams. Customers should also follow Ameren Missouri on social media to receive the latest updates on scams.