FORT WAYNE, Ind., – With the holidays approaching, this is a high-risk time for many people, including senior citizens, low-income residents and small businesses, to be targeted by scammers. Tomorrow, Nov. 17, is Utility Scam Awareness Day. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), is reminding customers that criminals will do anything to steal money. It’s important to be vigilant and know how to identify the signs of a scam.

Utility Scam Awareness Day was created by Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a group of more than 140 U.S. and Canadian electric, water and natural gas companies and trade associations including I&M and its parent company, American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP). The UUAS works together to share best practices and implement initiatives to inform and protect customers.

“At Indiana Michigan Power, we are committed to our safety standards, including keeping customers and businesses safe from financial scams,” said Katie Davis, vice president of External Affairs and Customer Experience. “I&M wants to inform customers about scams and educate them on ways to avoid them, especially scammers who use I&M’s name and pose as an employee to threaten or compel them to give money.”  

TYPES OF SCAMS:

Scammers often pose as I&M employees and use a variety of schemes via phone, email or even show up at a customer’s front door. A few examples are listed below:

• Scammers call or email customers claiming the customer is late paying their bill, and their power will be disconnected if the customer does not pay immediately. 
• Scammers often demand a wire transfer, gift card, or urge customers to buy a pre-paid debit card and use the card to provide payment. Once the funds are used, they cannot be reversed.
• Many scammers “spoof” the telephone number they are calling from. In some cases, it may look like the call is coming from an I&M phone number. 
• Scammers instruct customers to call a different number to make payment arrangements. 
• Scammers may request customers’ social security number, I&M account, personal credit card and banking information.

Customers are likely talking to a scammer if they demand immediate payment; insist a payment be made with a prepaid credit card or if they ask to meet at another location to make a payment.

WHAT I&M CUSTOMERS NEED TO KNOW:

I&M customers should know how the company conducts business so they can differentiate between I&M and a potential scam or scammer.

• If a customer is told their account is past due, they should check their account balance online, on the I&M mobile app, or call the customer service number.
• Only make payments online at www.IndianaMichiganPower.com, through mail, through the mobile app, by phone or at authorized payment locations.
• I&M and its employees NEVER call customers demanding immediate payment.
• I&M does NOT disconnect service without prior written warning.
• I&M does not call or show up at a customer’s home asking for their social security number.
• I&M employees and contractors always carry proper identification such as a photo badge. Customers should always ask to see a badge.

ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER SCAM TIPS:

• Do not ever provide any bank account or credit card information to anyone calling saying they are with I&M.
• Do not ever provide a social security number to anyone calling saying they are with I&M.
• If a customer receives a phone call, or visit from a potential scammer, they should notify I&M’s 24/7 Customer Operations Center:
  • Indiana customers call 1-800-311-4634
  • Michigan customers call 1-800-311-6424

Customers can follow I&M on Facebook and Twitter where they can get up-to-date information and help from customer service representatives.

For more information on scams, visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/account/bills/fraud-scams.

#   #   #

ABOUT INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER: Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2020 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states, nearly 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states, and 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.

ABOUT AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 16,800 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 223,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,500 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.