CENTRALIA — Centralia police detectives are warning that they have received more than a dozen complaints today of fake Ameren calls.

Customers are receiving calls from someone claiming to be with Ameren, saying the customer has an outstanding utility bill and their electricity will be shut off within 45 minutes if they do not receive immediate payment.

Detectives say the caller wants immediate payment with a credit/debit card, unlike in previous scams where they ask the customer to purchase a green dot card. They also warn that caller-ID sometimes shows the call is coming from Ameren, but authorities say it is a “spoof” number and calls back to the number go unanswered.

Detectives remind residents that Ameren will never call you for payment and that you should never provide personal or financial information over the phone.

If you receive a call such as this, please hang up and call Ameran at 800.755.5000 and your local law enforcement agency..