Halloween provides an opportunity for people regardless of their age to dress up as their favorite character. Unfortunately, savvy scammers are hard at work year-round pretending to be ComEd workers in order to trick YOU for treats.
To avoid their trap, here are some tips to stay vigilant this holiday season as scammers up their game knowing that people are distracted by the holidays. Below are four tips to avoid being tricked by a scammer:
1. TRICK: Scammers will show up at your door or call you using a number that appears to be a ComEd phone number.
ComEd will never call or visit your home or business to demand payment. ComEd workers may only knock on your door if they are unable to access equipment, like the meter or pedestal transformer near your home but not in your home
2. TRICK: Scammers will threaten to turn off your service and ask you to make immediate, direct payment to a bogus website or with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrency or payment app.
ComEd will never demand immediate payment or ask for direct payment with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, or third-party payment app like Cash App, QuickPay, Venmo or Zelle.
3. TRICK: Scammers will ask you to call them back at a different phone number with your personal information.
ComEd will never ask for a ComEd account number or other personal information, such as a Social Security number, driver’s license number or bank information. In fact, when calling ComEd, use a number provided by a trusted source, like your bill.
4. TREAT: All ComEd field employees wear a uniform with the ComEd logo and visibly display a company ID badge with the logo and employee’s name.
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- ComEd recently changed its logo, so you may continue to see the former ComEd logo on uniforms, badges and vehicles until it is phased out.
If you suspect a scam here is what you can do:
- Home or business owners who believe they have been the target of an energy-related scam should call ComEd immediately at 800-EDISON1 (800-334-7661).
- If you feel uncomfortable about an individual at your door and claiming to be a ComEd employee: Ask the individual to wait outside and call ComEd to verify they are an employee with the company. A true ComEd employee will not mind waiting.
We want to help all our customers be better informed and avoid being scammed. Learn more about energy-related scams here ComEd.com/ScamAlert.
Did you know there might be other monsters hiding in your house stealing your energy? Here is how to avoid the drain of energy vampires:
