Scams Archives | Citizens Utility Board

Scam alert! Beware of these scams

Elizabeth — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:00:46 +0000

Illinois consumers are no strangers to scams–a review of the latest statistics shows how the Land of Lincoln is a favorite target. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that in 2024 Illinois ranked sixth in the number of victims (25,446) of Internet-related crime and fifth in losses, at $479 million. In the first quarter of 2025, Illinoisans reported $77.9 million in losses connected to fraud, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network of the Federal Trade Commission. U.S. consumers received just over 4.8 billion robocalls in May 2025, according to new estimates from the anti-robocall tech firm YouMail. Scam calls make up roughly 55 percent of all robocalls. Legislation requiring carriers to implement “STIR/SHAKEN” technology has made it more difficult for robocallers to hide their identity through caller ID spoofing. Still, scam artists will always find a way. It’s important to stay on top of the latest rip-offs, like the ones below, to protect yourself from cyber crimes. Please let us know if you’ve seen or heard of other scams. #1 Imposter Scams What’s the scam? You may receive texts, calls, a pop-up or emails (more on that below) from imposters trying to gain access to your private information and your money. These crooks claim to be a well-known business, such as your utility company; technical support; the government, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Illinois Secretary of State or Social Security Administration; or even a romantic interest. (The Secretary of State and Illinois Tollway have warned consumers about scam texts about unpaid traffic tickets or tolls.) The scammers can be convincing, with fake websites made to look like the real thing (your utility’s site, for example). If they phone you, the crooks often employ caller ID spoofing to look legitimate. They often use urgent messaging claiming that the situation is dire–maybe you owe money or are in trouble with the law. Imposters also could show up at your door, posing as utility workers or government officials. Scammers may choose to target you during stressful times, such as a heat wave, when you’re worried about utility bills. “ComEd will never contact customers demanding immediate payment under the threat of disconnection,” ComEd said in a past warning. What can you do? Never provide personal information via text, email or over the phone. If you’re concerned about a call, text or email you have received, call an official number that you find by visiting the website of the entity claiming to contact you. “If anyone knocks on your door claiming to be a government official or a utility worker, request to see their identification to verify that the home visit is legitimate before you open the door,” CUB Program Coordinator Matt Harvey said. “You also can call the company or agency in question–with a number you find independently–and verify if an employee has been dispatched to your home.” (Check out a recent CUB warning.) #2 Phishing Scams What’s the scam? This is another variation of the imposter scam. The messages use urgency to try to trick consumers into clicking on fraudulent links to enter sensitive information (passwords, credit […]

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Could alternative suppliers come knocking again soon?

Hannah — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 18:31:17 +0000

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, state utility regulators directed all alternative electric and natural gas suppliers to suspend their door-to-door sales because of the transmission risk. But the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) could soon allow doorstep sales now that Illinois is in phase 5 of its reopening plan. The proposed orders do not require vaccination for sales representatives, but masks would be mandatory. The orders, which were issued in late July, are not yet finalized but are expected to be soon. Previous ICC orders allowed alternative gas and electric suppliers to resume in person sales in retail establishments, such as movie theaters. Regardless of what happens, remember you don’t have to open your door for anyone. If door-to-door marketing does resume, be on alert: Gas and electricity with an alternative supplier generally costs more than sticking with your utility, which is required by law to pass the cost of gas or electricity onto ratepayers at no markup. Alternative suppliers can charge whatever rates they want. Consumers often believe they’re saving money when they’re signing up for a deal that will likely cost them much more. In fact, according to an ICC report, Illinois consumers collectively paid $431 million more with alternative electricity suppliers in the last year than they would have with the regulated utility. Losses total more than $1 billion since 2015. Issues with alternative suppliers are among the most frequent complaints CUB hears through its Consumer Hotline (1-800-669-5556). We often hear from consumers about manipulative sales calls, skyrocketing rates and misleading marketing materials. Just last month, the ICC approved a settlement that requires alternative supplier Great American power to pay $325,000 after consumer advocates accused it of failing to comply with state regulations governing alternative suppliers.

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The dos and don’ts of robocalls

Sophia — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:17:21 +0000

Do you get several calls a day from “Scam Likely?” That probably means your number is targeted by robocalls–prerecorded messages from computer generated dialers. Robocalls are irritating, costly, and often illegal. In fact, the call blocking app TrueCaller found that consumers had already lost nearly $30 billion in the first part of the year, with robocalls estimated to reach 52 billion calls in 2021. So what can you do? The easiest way to avoid falling victim to scammers is to decline calls from unknown numbers and never give out your personal information. If someone is genuinely trying to reach you, they will most likely leave a voicemail. Here are a few of CUB’s do’s and don’ts when it comes to robocalls: Do: Confirm you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers a free Do Not Call registry where consumers can register their phone numbers to reduce calls from telemarketers. Remember, robocallers that are selling something need to get your prior written approval to call you, so if you didn’t give your OK, the sales call you’re receiving is illegal. True, the registry won’t block scammers that flaunt the rules, but it will block all the telemarketers that do follow the restrictions—and that’s still a lot. To register your number, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you would like to register. Don’t: Say “yes” Some scammers will try to trick you into saying “yes” by asking questions like “can you hear me now?” They will then use that recording as proof that you agreed to a costly deal you never wanted. If you find yourself on the line with an automated messenger, the best thing to do is hang up. Do: Use your phone’s features to your advantage If you receive a robocall, you can block that number from ever calling you again. Additionally, your phone may offer spam-blocking services. Turning this feature on will automatically decline calls from unknown numbers. Lastly, turning on the Do Not Disturb feature will send all of your calls directly to voicemail. This way, you can monitor who called you through voicemails or you can allow for only your contacts to get through. For instructions on how to use spam protection click here for Apple iPhones and here for Google Androids. Don’t: Call the number back You may have the urge to call the number back to give the scam artist an earful. However, calling them back might lead to an increase in calls you receive since scammers now know your phone number is active. It’s best to simply block that number from calling you again. If you get harassed by robocalls, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting FTC.gov/complaint and click on the FTC Complaint Assistant icon, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. For full tips, order CUB’s robocalls guide.

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Consumers beware: new wave of text scams targeting Illinois residents

Hannah — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 15:40:12 +0000

Illinois consumers should be on alert for a recent wave of phishing scams trying to defraud Illinoisans. The fraudsters are claiming to represent multiple state departments, including the Secretary of State. “Phishing” scams use messages disguised as reputable companies to persuade consumers to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. (Phishing typically refers to such scams over email; “SMS phishing” or “smishing” to text scams; and “vishing” to such scams over the phone.) In this case, the scammers are posing as the DMV or Secretary of State, claiming that your driver’s license needs to be validated, your contact information is out of date, or you owe fees. The message prompts consumers to click on a provided link. The link may take you to a website that looks similar to the official Illinois Secretary of State website, but be cautious: scammers are using copies of website logos and masthead to mimic the appearance of the official website. Clicking on such links may allow malware to corrupt your phone or computer. Some links prompt consumers to submit personal information, such as social security numbers, driver’s license details and credit card numbers, which could result in identity theft. Remember: the Secretary of State’s office will never send you a text or email asking for personal information. To protect yourself from such attacks: Do not click on suspicious links or provide personal details. If in doubt, reach out to that state agency or company on your own through the legitimate phone number or website. Delete suspicious emails and texts. (While an email or text may look official, a closer inspection of the message may reveal spelling errors and bad grammar. If you ever get an official-looking text or email with a disturbing warning, don’t do anything rash. Again, contact the company/agency yourself.) Hang up on calls that ask you to provide personal information, such as your Social Security Number or bank account number. Keep your software up to date. Most devices can be set to update automatically when new software versions are released. Back up your data. You can copy your computer files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. It’s good practice to back up the data on your phone, too. Set up two-factor authentication. Some accounts offer extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account. The additional credentials you need to log in to your account fall into two categories: Something you have — like a passcode you get via an authentication app or a security key. Something you are — like a scan of your fingerprint, your retina, or your face. Multi-factor authentication makes it more difficult for phishers to access your accounts. Scammers are good at their jobs. They can be extremely convincing. Consult this helpful webpage from the Federal Trade Commission that provides next steps if you think you paid money to a scammer. TIP: Call your bank and report the fraudulent charge immediately. If you have questions about text message scams or identity theft, please call the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 800-386-5438 (Chicago), 800-243-0618 (Springfield) or […]

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Consumer Alert: Could alt suppliers be knocking on your door again?

Hannah — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:34:21 +0000

Breaking News Update, Nov. 5: Victory for Consumers! The Illinois Commerce Commission voted 3-2 today to keep the moratorium in place. Thank you to all the Illinoisans who used CUB’s Action Network to help send 1,000 messages to state regulators in favor of keeping the ban in place. Your activism makes a difference! Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Illinois back in March, state utility regulators have directed all alternative electric and natural gas suppliers to suspend their door-to-door sales because of the transmission risk. But now two Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) judges support a push by ICC staff to allow door-to-door sales to resume, as the state eases restrictions on in-person solicitations as long as sales reps wear masks and practice social distancing. (Take action: Tell the ICC NO to door-to-door marketing during the pandemic.) The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) still has to make a final ruling. And CUB has joined Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office in advocating for the suspension to continue, for health concerns as well as to prevent “potentially predatory” door-to-door marketing of plans “almost certain to cost consumers more,” according to a filing. Regardless of what happens, remember you don’t have to open your door for anyone. If door-to-door marketing does resume, be on alert: Gas and electricity rates through an alternative supplier generally cost more than sticking with your utility, which is required by law to pass the cost of gas or electricity onto ratepayers at no markup. Consumers often believe they’re saving money when they’re signing up for a deal that will likely cost them much more. In fact, according to a new report from the ICC, residential customers have now lost more than $1 billion to alternative electric suppliers in the last 5 years. Issues with alternative suppliers are among the most frequent complaints CUB hears through its Consumer Hotline (1-800-669-5556). We constantly hear from consumers about manipulative sales calls, skyrocketing rates, and misleading marketing materials. Just this year, the ICC fined alternative electricity supplier LifeEnergy $1 million and ordered more than $34,000 in customer refunds for “admitted violations of state marketing and sales rules.” (And there are three other cases before the ICC against alternative electric suppliers.) Alternative suppliers are eager to knock on doors again. During the pandemic, they are posting record-low customer numbers, according to an article by Crain’s Chicago Business. The number of Chicago households buying natural gas from a firm other than Peoples Gas dropped 32 percent just in the first nine months of 2020. The number of households getting electricity from a supplier other than ComEd is at its lowest level since 2012.

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‘Protection’ during the pandemic? Big water company pitches peace of mind—but you should think twice

Hannah — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 21:02:08 +0000

Tucked away in a news release about a major water company’s COVID-19-related donations was a pitch for insurance plans that cover utility-related home repairs. While the company promises “the unexpected—protected,” such offers often end up costing customers more than they’re worth. American Water is the parent company of Illinois American, a water company that sparks a lot of angry complaints from consumers across the state. In a June news release, American Water’s Homeowner Services division announced a total of $25,000 in donations to two Illinois organizations on behalf of the company’s COVID-19 Response Fund. CUB is glad to see companies giving back, but the for-profit company then used the pandemic as a selling point to encourage customers to enroll in its maintenance programs. “Homeowner Services’ protection programs continue to be an optional resource for individuals and families spending more time at home, placing additional stress and usage on their systems and vital lines. The unexpected—protected,” the news release read. CUB has talked about the woes of maintenance plans like these for years. American Water’s Homeowner Services division markets so-called “protection programs” through several subsidiaries, including Pivotal Home Solutions, Nicor Home Solutions, and American Water Resources. Nicor Home Solutions was once owned by Nicor Gas, the utility, which NBC 5 Chicago reported, caused a lot of confusion and frustration for customers who saw the “sneaky fees” on their gas bills and were dismayed to find that it wasn’t a utility charge. Marketed as low-cost insurance to protect you against high-cost, emergency repairs, these plans can cover anything from sewer lines to kitchen appliances, from surge protection to your water heater. Protection plans may look attractive on the surface, but the fine print reveals that they too often turn out to be more restrictive than helpful and more money than they’re worth. Even if you do need maintenance or repair work done, often there’s a long list of work these plans don’t cover. A quick review of Nicor Home Solutions’s $11.95/month Kitchen Essentials plan showed that it covered up to $2,000 dollars for repairs/replacements to a cooktop and refrigerator. However, once you read the details, you find the plan does not include damages to door handles, shelving or drawers, or the electric or water line to the fridge. For the cook top, it doesn’t include damage to the natural gas or electric lines or to the exhaust fan. Nothing is covered if the damage is caused by pests or rodents. “Any money you pay into a plan is nonrefundable, even if you never have maintenance or repair issues,” said Bryan McDaniel, CUB’s director of governmental affairs. “Essentially, you could be paying anywhere from $3 to $50 per month for years and never use the service. You’re better off putting aside some money in a utility emergency fund—at least then you’re in control of how and when you use the money.”

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Beware: Don’t fall victim to a Coronavirus scam

Hannah — Thu, 07 May 2020 13:57:06 +0000

Fraudsters are using the public health emergency to steal our money and personal information. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has warned residents to exercise caution with phone, text and email solicitations for money or personal information that are tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Protect yourself from scams by reading our tips. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued warning letters to multiple sellers of unapproved and misbranded products that claim they can treat or prevent Coronavirus. Those products include teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver. Don’t let yourself get caught up in a scam. As of now, the FDA says there are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19—online or in stores. Keep an eye open for emails or social media posts claiming to be from medical experts or health organizations. These messages likely do not include reliable or factual information. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it. Remember, government agencies won’t send emails or call asking for personal information for you to receive economic stimulus funds. Delete text messages from unknown sources that appear to hyperlink to information about the pandemic. This may be a trick to install malware on your mobile device. Hang up on robocalls. A poll this past spring found that 37 percent of respondents had yelled or even used bad language with a robocaller. We recommend you just hang up. The poll showed that nearly 25 percent of respondents had seen an uptick in calls since the COVID-19 outbreak. Telecom scams are peddling phony COVID-19 cures, bogus testing kits, financial relief and work-from-home schemes. (In general, common robo-scams are imposters claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service or Social Security Administration. Such agencies would rarely, if ever, call you.) Don’t engage, even if the recording instructs you to press a number to be removed from the call list. That might just signal to the robocaller that a live person has the number—and it may lead to more calls. To report scams connected to the COVID-19 outbreak visit the Illinois Attorney General’s website. If you want accurate information about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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Beware of A/C scams in a heat wave

Jennifer — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 21:56:56 +0000

The hot summer months can pose a threat to your health if you’re not careful. It can also be a threat to your wallet. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says home and business owners should be extra careful when heat warnings take place. Rising temperatures are a perfect time for air conditioning scammers to land their next victim. Scammers pose as A/C contractors pitching their services–both at your door and by phone–with offers like free maintenance plans or repairs to your current system. Most of these scammers advertise faulty air conditioners, unbeknownst to you until it’s too late. In Chicago, the BBB received over 200 complaints last year by air conditioning (and heating) companies, often due to scammers claiming to represent them. Door-to-door scammers are often looking to get some quick cash or other payment from their victims. In extreme cases, they want to “inspect” your system just to get into your home and possibly steal other items, not to mention posing a physical threat to your safety. Keep in mind, A/C contractors are legitimate–just do your research and ask friends and neighbors to find the one that’s right for you. Check for background information, licenses and prices. And be wary of pitches over the phone or at your door. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Read more about A/C scams to look out for in a heat wave as well as official tips from the BBB.

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Are you getting these robocalls?

Matt — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 21:59:59 +0000

Have you had this robocall nuisance hit your phone? Just last week, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight “ringless voicemails”—robocalls that go straight to your voicemail box. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said: “We’ll take a look.” “With billions of robocalls made to cellphones each year, the feds should be doing more to rein in annoying telemarketers, not throw gas on the problem and add fuel to cellphone spam,” Schumer said. A ringless message company, All About The Message, LLC, had previously petitioned the FCC for the ability to leave ringless voicemails without prior consent from people. But the company has since withdrawn its petition after scrutiny from politicians. Back in April, we sent federal regulators 2,900 petition signatures urging them to fight “spoofed” robocalls. (Robocalls that alter Caller ID to get you to pick up.) This summer, the FCC proposed its highest fine ever ($120 million) against a robocall scheme. Get this: A Miami man allegedly made a million “spoofed” robocalls a day to peddle vacation packages and timeshares. The FCC estimates that last year Americans received about 2.4 billion robocalls a month!

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Urgent: Stop bad power deals

Samantha — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 20:39:33 +0000

Over the last couple of weeks, the CUB Action Network has sent thousands of messages against AT&T’s plan to kill traditional home phone service, as well as plans from Nicor and ComEd to hit customers with a total of $300 million in rate hikes. And today, we ask that you take action on another front: Bad electricity deals. You may remember that state regulators are finalizing new rules to protect consumers against misleading marketing. That’s good, but unregulated electricity suppliers are trying to derail those new rules. We can’t let that happen. How bad is the problem? At a recent clinic we found people paying alternative supplier rates that were 74-93 percent higher than utility prices! 12.19 cents/kWh 11.4 cents/kWh 10.49 cents/kWh 10.2 cents/kWh Please urge state regulators to reject any attempts by alternative suppliers to weaken these new rules.

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