Illinois Energy Companies and BBB Remind Customers of Increase in Scams During Holiday Season
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas have joined the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois to warn customers about increased utility scams during the holiday season. Scammers are using new tactics, including QR codes, mobile banking apps, and posing as bill-management companies. They often threaten service disconnection and demand immediate payments. The companies emphasize that they never use aggressive tactics, demand immediate payment, or request personal information like Social Security numbers. Customers are advised to verify representative identities and contact utilities through official channels if suspicious.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas e North Shore Gas hanno aderito al Better Business Bureau (BBB) di Chicago e del Nord dell'Illinois per avvisare i clienti riguardo all'aumento delle truffe sui servizi durante la stagione delle feste. I truffatori stanno utilizzando nuove tattiche, tra cui codici QR, app di mobile banking e si spacciano per aziende di gestione delle bollette. Spesso minacciano la disconnessione del servizio e richiedono pagamenti immediati. Le aziende sottolineano che non usano mai tattiche aggressive, non chiedono pagamenti immediati e non richiedono informazioni personali come i numeri di previdenza sociale. Ai clienti viene consigliato di verificare l'identità dei rappresentanti e di contattare i servizi attraverso canali ufficiali in caso di sospetti.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas y North Shore Gas se han unido al Better Business Bureau (BBB) de Chicago y el norte de Illinois para advertir a los clientes sobre el aumento de las estafas relacionadas con los servicios públicos durante la temporada navideña. Los estafadores están utilizando nuevas tácticas, incluidos códigos QR, aplicaciones de banca móvil y haciéndose pasar por empresas de gestión de facturas. A menudo amenazan con la desconexión del servicio y exigen pagos inmediatos. Las empresas enfatizan que nunca utilizan tácticas agresivas, no exigen pagos inmediatos ni solicitan información personal como los números de Seguro Social. Se aconseja a los clientes que verifiquen las identidades de los representantes y que contacten a los servicios públicos a través de canales oficiales si tienen sospechas.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas 및 North Shore Gas는 시카고 및 북일리노이즈의 Better Business Bureau (BBB)와 협력하여 휴가철에 유틸리티 사기가 증가하고 있음을 고객에게 경고했습니다. 사기범들은 QR 코드, 모바일 뱅킹 앱 및 청구 관리 회사로 위장하는 새로운 전술을 사용하고 있습니다. 그들은 종종 서비스 차단을 위협하고 즉각적인 지불을 요구합니다. 이 회사들은 결코 공격적인 전술을 사용하지 않으며 즉시 지불을 요구하거나 사회 보장 번호와 같은 개인 정보를 요청하지 않음을 강조합니다. 고객들은 의심스러운 경우 대표자의 신원을 확인하고 공식 채널을 통해 유틸리티에 연락할 것을 권장합니다.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas et North Shore Gas se sont associés au Better Business Bureau (BBB) de Chicago et du nord de l'Illinois pour avertir les clients sur l'augmentation des arnaques aux services publics pendant la saison des fêtes. Les arnaqueurs utilisent de nouvelles tactiques, y compris des codes QR, des applications bancaires mobiles et se faisant passer pour des entreprises de gestion de factures. Ils menacent souvent de couper le service et exigent des paiements immédiats. Les entreprises soulignent qu'elles n'utilisent jamais de tactiques agressives, n'exigent pas de paiements immédiats et ne demandent pas d'informations personnelles telles que des numéros de sécurité sociale. Les clients sont conseillés de vérifier l'identité des représentants et de contacter les services publics par le biais de canaux officiels en cas de soupçon.
ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas und North Shore Gas haben sich dem Better Business Bureau (BBB) von Chicago und Nordillinois angeschlossen, um die Kunden über die zunehmenden Betrügereien im Bereich der Versorgungsunternehmen während der Feiertage zu warnen. Betrüger nutzen neue Taktiken, einschließlich QR-Codes, mobiler Banking-Apps und geben vor, Rechnungsverwaltungsunternehmen zu sein. Sie drohen häufig mit der Abschaltung des Dienstes und fordern sofortige Zahlungen. Die Unternehmen betonen, dass sie niemals aggressive Taktiken verwenden, keine sofortige Zahlung verlangen und keine persönlichen Informationen wie Sozialversicherungsnummern anfordern. Den Kunden wird geraten, die Identität von Vertretern zu überprüfen und bei Verdachtsfällen die Versorgungsunternehmen über offizielle Kanäle zu kontaktieren.
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On Utility Scam Awareness Day, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas provide tips to identify scams used to steal money and personal information from families and businesses
During national Utility Scam Awareness Day, ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas are reminding families and businesses to stay vigilant to imposters who will show up at homes and businesses, then threaten to turn off utility service if payment is not immediately made.
“Scammers use the holiday season to increase their attempts to separate businesses and consumers from their money and personal information, like Social Security or bank account numbers,” added Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “Scammers know that we’re busier this time of year, distracted with plans and paying less attention to our spending and bill-paying habits. They use urgency and demands to pay now or lose power, which is something ComEd or other utilities would never do.”
Scammers are getting creative and expanding their schemes in the digital space. Traditionally, they use technology to call using a number that looks like the name and number of a legitimate business. More recently, imposters are sending QR codes and instructing recipients to make payments at retail stores like Walmart and Walgreens. Others are demanding payment through mobile banking apps.
“ComEd is committed, especially during the holidays, to helping customers identify potential schemes so they don’t unwittingly send their money and personal information to imposters,” said Melissa
“Scammers are also using new technology more and more, but the way to keep yourself safe remains tried and true,” said Bill Mastoris, interim president — Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. “If what the person is saying doesn’t feel right or if you’re being pressured in any way, end the conversation. Hang up the phone or close the door. If you have any further concern, contact your utility using the phone number or website address on your utility bill.”
Recently, private companies or individuals unaffiliated with energy companies are posing as bill-management companies and offer to manage customer bills on their behalf. These fraudulent companies place the utility account in their name, collect the customer’s payment but do not forward it to the utility.
“We hold ourselves accountable to customers first and foremost and will never use aggressive or intimidating tactics to pressure customers into making a payment toward their natural gas bill,” said Pat
Tips to Help Identify Scam Attempts
- pressure you into making an immediate payment using aggressive or threatening tactics;
- threaten to disconnect service if payment is not made within a short timeframe;
- ask for direct payment with a prepaid cash card like Green Dot, or a third-party payment app like Zelle, Cash App, QuickPay and Venmo;
- ask for personal information such as Social Security number or driver’s license number, or banking information is needed for a refund.
If a utility field representative visits your home or business, they will wear logoed uniforms and provide identification. If contacted by phone, verify the legitimacy of the call by requesting the caller confirm information only you would know, such as date, amount or method of last payment.
If ever in doubt about the validity of the person calling or at your door, hang up or shut the door and call the energy company using a phone number from a trusted source like your latest bill or the company website or mobile app.
About the Better Business Bureau of
BBB of
About ComEd
ComEd is a unit of
About Nicor Gas
Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of
About North Shore Gas
North Shore Gas, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves more than 165,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 54 communities within the northern suburbs of
About Peoples Gas
Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves more than 891,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of
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Source: ComEd
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