When temperatures rise or fall to extremes, and electricity use increases, ComEd and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have observed scammers taking advantage of these conditions to bilk customers out of their hard-earned money. In July 2022, following a stretch of extreme heat during the first five weeks of summer, ComEd received nearly 280 reports of scams from customers, which is significantly higher than the 80 reports received in July 2021. In addition to the increase in reported incidents in July, the amount of money customers reportedly lost to successful scams rose dramatically to nearly $25,000. This compares to approximately $4,000 lost to scams in July 2021.

Tips to help identify scams
1. ComEd will never call or come to a customer’s home or business to:

· Ask for direct payment with a prepaid cash card, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, or third-party payment app like Cash App, QuickPay, Venmo or Zelle.

· Demand immediate payment.

· Ask for a ComEd account number or other personal information, such as a Social Security number, driver’s license number or bank information.

2. To identify an actual ComEd employee or communication, remember:

· 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. 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.

· Check the name on email or websites and make sure they match the name and address of the company you do business with. Look for misspellings or slight alterations.

· Make a call to verify the suspected email or website is from a trusted source. Use a phone number from your personal business records or the company’s official website and not the number provided in the email.

ComEd urges anyone who believes they have been a target or victim of a scam to call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). To learn more visit ComEd.com/Scams.