With the pandemic restrictions being dialed back, both ComEd and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are warning all of us to be on the lookout for utility-company imposters approaching homes and businesses to steal information and valuables.

Who said that the lockdowns didn't produce any benefits? At least we were spared this kind of behavior for a few months. But, that respite is over, and we all need to be a bit more careful about whom we trust when they show up at our front door.

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Nichole Owens, ComEd vice president of customer channels:

ComEd takes seriously its responsibility to help our customers protect themselves. As residents become more comfortable talking with people outside their household, you can bet that imposters will take advantage of this opportunity to approach people at home in an attempt to steal their personal information, financial information and even their belongings.

After receiving multiple reports about people showing up at front doors in Illinois purporting to be ComEd (or another utility) employees, tree service workers, or home-repair contractors, ComEd and the BBB have combined forces to get the information out to potential victims. In other words, all of us.

These imposters have a variety of dirty tricks that they employ, like luring you out of your house while one of their cohorts sneaks in to steal anything they can find. Or, using technology to make their phone calls appear to come from a ComEd phone number and threatening to turn off a customer's service unless they make a direct payment with a prepaid cash card.

Some of these imposters/scammers have even sent emails to businesses and requested that they send ComEd payments to bogus payment web sites.

Handyman in uniform with clipboard reaching for a handshake at the front door.
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ComEd wants to point out that they never show up at your house or business to demand payment, especially with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrency or third-party banking app. They'll also never ask for your account number, Social Security number, or bank information.

If you think that you've been targeted, call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661), or visit ComEd.com/ScamAlert.

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