Officials warning utility customers about scam

Illinois authorities are warning Chicago area residents about a scam in which people are impersonating utility employees in an attempt to get customers to pay them.

In a news release, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the ICC say they’ve received complaints from people who say the “scam artists” are telling customers that their service will be cut off unless they pay them.

In some cases, the fake utility workers tell people their accounts are past due or their previous payments were never received.

Madigan says if anyone shows up at your door and demands payment to slam the door on them, contact police and their utility companies. And ICC Chairman Doug Scott urges customers to ask for identification from anyone claiming to be a utility employee.