The Geneva Police Department is warning residents of a telephone scam where “ComEd representatives” threaten to disconnect power service unless late payments were made over the phone.

Within a two-hour period June 20, six Geneva electric customers reported to the city receiving “ComEd” phone calls.

“These calls are a scam, and people should not make a payment or provide financial information to the caller,” the city said in a Tuesday news release.

Commonwealth Edison is not Geneva’s electric utility provider. The city owns and operates its own electric utility and does not call or demand payment over the phone, city officials said.

Residents and business owners can check the status of their utility bill account by visiting the city’s website at www.geneva.il.us. If people have doubts about the validity of any call regarding their bill, the city recommends contacting the city of Geneva Finance Division at 630-232-0854 or visiting the office at 15 S. First St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“As a general rule, the safest practice is to not provide financial or personal information over the phone, especially if the telephone call is unsolicited,” the news release said.

If you’re unsure as to whether the call is legitimate, advise the caller to contact you later, hang up and check your account status.

SOURCE: city of Geneva news release