If someone claiming to be from a utility company calls you out of the blue and says your service will be shut off today if you don’t pay your bill, you’re being scammed. Ameren Illinois spokesman Brian Bretsch says scammers posing as Ameren representatives are telling people to pay up or their electricity or gas will be turned off—sometimes within the hour. They demand payment via gift cards or cell phone apps, which the real Ameren doesn’t use.
Bretsch says Ameren uses milder methods—working out payment plans and trying to avoid turning off service.
If you’ve been scammed, call the police and they’ll do what they can. Chances are though, if scammers got your money, you’re not getting it back.
You can contact Ameren at 1-800-755-5000 to talk about your bill.