(Oblong) – Oblong Mayor, Teresa Fielder, is reminding village residents to be on the lookout for utility scams. Fielder says it’s the season for door-to-door visitors claiming to lower your Ameren bill and or wanting you to sign up for another supplier. She warns the public to be on the lookout for the signs of scams and she reminds the public that solicitors who come to the Village of Oblong must first visit the Oblong Police Department and receive a solicitor permit which they must show to you. Fielder says the best advice is, just don’t open the door or if you do, kindly say “no thank you”. Find more “red flags” to look out for below.
* If anyone claiming to be with Ameren IL shows up at your property, ask to see their badge. Simply wearing Ameren IL branded clothing is not enough.
* No one should ever call you unsolicited and request credit card information, your social security number, address, or ANYTHING PERTAINING TO YOUR BILL!
* Ameren IL has also seen instances of individuals pedaling fake deals or promotions in exchange for personal or account information.
* If anyone threatens to disconnect service without immediate payment know that Ameren IL will never threaten to disconnect service in this manner.