Ameren warns of utility scam

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis-based utility company Ameren is urging customers to watch out for a scam aimed at illegally obtaining Social Security numbers.

Ameren says utility customers in several states, including Ameren customers in Missouri and Illinois, are being falsely told that the federal government will provide a credit or directly pay utility bills. The scammers seek the customer's Social Security number as part of the fraudulent effort to obtain the credit or payment.

Ameren says scammers have visited some customers in person, posted fliers or used social media and texting. The company has identified some accounts that have been victimized by the scam.