Illinois Energy Companies and BBB Remind Customers of Increase in Scams During Holiday Season

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

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the holiday season approaches, northern Illinois energy companies are joining the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Chicago and Northern Illinois to warn customers to be on heightened alert for attempted scams, which tend to increase during this time of year.

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 Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd. “When it comes to mobile banking apps, the scammer will claim not to have received a payment to get the victim to transfer money two or three times, allowing imposters to scam victims out of thousands of dollars with a single encounter.”

“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 Whiteside, Senior Vice President of Operations at Nicor Gas. “The personal safety and financial security of our employees and customers are of utmost importance.”

Tips to Help Identify Scam Attempts

Illinois energy companies remind customers that they will never call or visit a home or business to:

• 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 Chicago and Northern Illinois

BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois is a nonprofit organization that holds businesses to a higher standard and connect consumers with businesses they can trust. We have served both local Chicago and Northern Illinois consumers and trustworthy businesses for over 95 years. We help protect consumers from fraudulent practices in the marketplace and provide an extensive free database for consumers to see business ratings and reviews for research before they buy.

About ComEd

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

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 Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

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 Chicago. You can find more information about natural gas safety, energy efficiency and other energy-related topics at northshoregasdelivery.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @northshoregas.

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 Chicago. You can find more information about natural gas safety, energy efficiency and other energy-related topics at peoplesgasdelivery.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @peoplegaschi.