At Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), our focus is on delivering a great customer experience while serving our communities with safe and reliable energy. Unfortunately, scammers continue to target people in a variety of ways, including online, by phone or text and increasingly through in-person approaches at customers’ homes.
Scammers often attempt to trick customers into paying “unpaid bills” to avoid disconnection. It’s not just residential customers who scammers prey upon, but local businesses as well. As of last month, I&M received more than 75 scam reports from customers.
“While scams happen year-round, some tactics are seasonal. As the weather warms up, we are seeing an uptick of scammers out and about, impersonating our employees and showing up at customers’ homes threatening disconnection,” said Katie Runkle, I&M’s vice president of Customer Experience and External Affairs. “Please know, I&M employees will only rarely need to enter your home and on those occasions, we will schedule an appointment in advance.”
Here are five tips to help stop scammers:
- Scammers will often say a customer’s utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected — usually within 30 minutes — if a payment isn’t made. I&M will provide multiple notices and offer to help customers with payment plan options before service interruptions.
- Criminals may ask customers to make immediate payment through alternative methods. I&M will never ask for payments using a pre-paid debit card, gift card or third-party mobile applications.
- Scammers may go door-to-door posing as an I&M employee demanding payment or offering a special deal. I&M employees and our contractors do not show up in person for payment. While I&M employees’ uniforms vary, they will often have the company logo visible, be in a vehicle with the company logo and carry a company identification card, which customers should request to see.
- Criminals may offer to mail checks for overpayments on an account if a customer confirms personal information, including date of birth, address and Social Security number. I&M will never call or email asking a customer for personal or financial information.
- Scammers can use caller ID spoofing software to trick customers into believing the text or call is legitimate. When in doubt, hang up and call I&M at 1-800-311-4634 to report a potential scam.
Customers can check account information via the I&M mobile app or at www.IndianaMichiganPower.Com/account.
For more information about utility scams, visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/StopScams.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Schneè Doyle
Communications Specialist Sr.
574-218-5987
smdoyle@aep.com