Crystal Lake Police: Beware of Scammers Claiming Electric Service Will be Shut Off

ComEd has seen an increase in reports of customers targeted by phone scammers who are demanding they submit a payment to avoid having their electric service shut off, according to a press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department.

These scammers instruct customers to buy a prepaid credit card and call back to a different phone number with the personal identification number or other personal information, according to the news release. They also use a tactic called “Caller ID spoofing” to manipulate the displayed phone number so that it appears to be a ComEd number.

The Crystal Lake Police Department is reminding area residents that ComEd representatives will never call you to ask you for cash or request that you purchase a prepaid credit card to make a payment on your bill. If you have concerns about the status of your account, call ComEd’s Customer Service line at 800-334-7661 (800-EDISON1), according to the news release.

If you believe you have been the target of a phone scam, ComEd urges you to contact the Illinois Attorney General’s office at 800-386-5438 or visit illinoisattorneygeneral.gov and click on the “Protecting Consumers” link.