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Scam targets utility customers, seeks personal infoJul 06, 2012 (Jacksonville Journal-Courier - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A new widespread scam is targeting utility customers by promising credits of up to $1,500 in exchange for a few key pieces of personal information. Ameren Illinois said it is similar to a con game in mid-May. Now, a person claims President Obama is applying payments or credits to a customer's utility bill, but calls for customers to make a payment "today" by using a bank routing number supplied by the scammers and the number appearing on the back of their Social Security cards as the bank account number. According to reports, scammers have visited customers in person, posted fliers and used social media and texting to send this false message. If an Ameren customer has recently made a transaction as described, they may call Customer Service in Illinois at 800-755-5000 or Missouri at 800-552-7583. To avoid a scam, never give your credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or saving account numbers to anyone who comes to your home, calls or sends an email requesting this information. If a caller claims to be an Ameren representative and asks for immediate payment over the phone or requests other personal information, hang up and call Ameren. Never allow anyone into your home who wants to check your electrical wiring, natural gas pipes or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a natural gas leak and the person has proper identification. Photo identification is carried by every Ameren employee and includes name, employee number and an official Ameren logo. ___ (c)2012 the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.) Visit the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.) at www.myjournalcourier.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |