Ameren Missouri is warning Jefferson County customers about scam artists impersonating the electric company.
Several reports from small businesses in Arnold, High Ridge and Festus have contacted the company about the scam, Ameren Missouri said in a written statement today (Feb. 8).
Customers told the company that someone would call them and threaten that the customer’s services would be shut off if they failed to make an immediate payment. The scammer would tell them to use a prepaid card or other non-traceable form of payment, the report said.
Ameren warned customers to never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection because utility companies do not specify how customers should pay a bill and always offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, according to the report.
Ameren Missouri also warned customers to never give credit card, debit card, Social Security, ATM, checking or savings account numbers to anyone who calls, sends an email or comes to your home requesting this information.
The company said not to trust anyone asking for immediate payment, and if you suspect someone of impersonating an Ameren employee, end the conversation and call Ameren Missouri at 1-800-552-7583.
Ameren Missouri is working with federal, state and local authorities to investigate the reported scam.