News and Announcements

Mobile Payment App Scams on the Rise, ComEd and Better Business Bureau Warn Utility Customers

Scammers used payment networks like Cash App, QuickPay, Venmo and Zelle to bilk families and businesses out of more than $27,000 in January 2022

CHICAGO (Feb. 24, 2022) –The popularity of mobile payment apps like Cash App and Venmo is giving rise to incidents of scammers using these digital networks to bilk ComEd customers out of their hard-earned money. ComEd urges customers to be aware of these new scam attempts so they identify and avoid them.

In January 2022, ComEd received more than 240 reports of scams from customers, a more than 150-percent increase from January 2021. Even worse, the amount of money reported lost to successful scams rose dramatically to more than $27,000 in January 2022, 20 times more than January 2021.

Scammers are contacting ComEd customers by phone, although some contacts can be made by text or email, demanding payment to a particular account under the threat of immediate service disconnection. The imposter will instruct the customer to use a mobile payment app, which often have higher transaction limits than pre-paid cash cards.

“The ease of using mobile pay apps has made the process of scamming customers more efficient for imposters,” said Melissa Washington, ComEd’s chief customer officer and senior vice president of customer operations. “As scammers alter their schemes, ComEd will be there to alert customers of the latest attempts to con them out of money and personal information.”

“Scammers keep adding new tools like payment apps to take advantage of unsuspecting victims,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Along with impersonating utility representatives, there are fake calls and emails from the IRS, Social Security, and other government officials demanding immediate payments. A lot of scams the BBB sees are based on unconventional payment methods. That is the tip-off to the rip-off. Never give out personal information or send money until you have contacted the company directly to check your account status.”

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-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661). To learn more visit ComEd.com/ScamAlert.

Payment Assistance to Help Customers Avoid Scam Attempts

“ComEd takes seriously its responsibility to help our customers protect themselves, and we realize scammers prey on those they suspect may be behind in their bills,” said Washington. “That is why we offer a number of payment-assistance options, including flexible payment options, financial assistance and usage alerts for current bills.”

Any customer experiencing a hardship or difficulty with their electric bill should call ComEd immediately at 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON-1), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to determine which programs may be available to help with past-due balances. For more information, visit ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance.

New Mobile App Video

Sheriff John D. Idleburg is proud to announce the release of a new mobile application for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The app is available as a free download from the iPhone and Android app stores.

The app’s timely release will mean the availability of alerts, news, and resources of importance to the Lake County community in the palm of one’s hand.

Users of the app who live in a village where the sheriff’s office provides contractual policing (Volo, Long Grove, Deer Park, Beach Park, North Barrington, and Lake Barrington) will have the ability to opt-in for alerts in their specific community. Additionally, all Lake County residents will have the ability to opt-in to countywide alerts and news from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

While 911 should always be the primary method of reporting an emergency situation, the ‘Submit a Tip’ feature enables members of the community to submit a crime tip directly to the sheriff’s office. The tip can be sent anonymously or with contact information, along with photos.

To make it easier for the community to obtain documents, app users will have the ability to easily file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request directly via the app.

Under ‘Jail Information,’ users can utilizes the ‘Inmate Search’ function. There is additional information on the Lake County Jail, visitation, how to put funds in an inmate’s account, bonding information and more.

Search for sexual offenders (provided by Offender Watch) on an easy to access map or by list.

Other important features include obtaining accident/police reports, careers, and press releases. Read and share social media posts from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook & Twitter news links.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Before taking office and upon taking office, I heard it loud and clear - our community desires full transparency and easy access to the sheriff’s office. This app is another major step forward in providing easy two-way communication with the community we serve. Whether it is breaking news, a road closure, or a planned event – you can receive this information in an instant, in the palm of your hand.”

Search Lake County Sheriff’s Office IL to download the mobile app onto your smartphone or tablet. It is available free of charge from the iOS and Google Play (Android) app stores.

For more information, contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office: 847-377-4000

Lake County IL Sheriff’s Office mobile app link: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a49760085

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Illinois Emergency Management Agency - Be Aware!