Commonwealth Edison announced 1/5/16 it has seen an increase in scam reports. The utility says con artists have been contacting small businesses and other customers by phone and in person. They claim to be ComEd representatives seeking payment.

Sometimes the impostors claim a customer’s billing cycle has changed and an immediate payment is required. They have instructed people to buy a prepaid credit card and to call back with a personal identification number.

ComEd officials say it’s not the company’s practice to ask customers to buy prepaid credit cards or to make a payment on a bill.

The utility advises customers who think they’ve been targeted by scammers to contact the Illinois attorney general’s office.