Aurora Police Investigating Utility Bill Phone Scam

The Aurora Police Department is investigating instances of fraud perpetrated by people purporting to be from ComEd and telling small business owners they are behind on their electric bills and payment must be remitted either by pre-paid cards or online money orders or their power will be shut off.

Some of these calls are being placed through the telephone number 855-209-7714.

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The thefts follow the same basic premise where victims are contacted by phone, are told they owe thousands of dollars to the utility and that their power will be shut off unless payment is received immediately. It is not the first time police have seen the scam and investigated several incidents in 2014, Aurora police said.

At least two small businesses have been scammed out of about $2,000 so far, police said

These types of frauds are extremely difficult to investigate and are many times being conducted from outside the U.S., police said.

"Remember — ComEd (and other utilities) do not require immediate payment of accounts in these fashions," police said.

Anyone receiving similar calls should hang up and contact the utility(s) directly. ComEd’s phone number is 1-800-334-7661. Those who have been scammed can contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-386-5438 or online at illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

Residents may also contact the Aurora Police Department through its non-emergency line at 630-256-5000.