FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 25, 2024 - Fake websites, threatening emails, texts and phone calls are a few ways scammers try to rob customers of their personal information and money. Recently, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has recorded an increase in scammers targeting its customers and wants to arm them with the knowledge to avoid becoming a victim.
Through June 2024, I&M has received 240 reports of scams targeting customers in Indiana and Michigan. This figure is an increase from all of 2023 with 165 scam attempts recorded. I&M has noticed an upsurge of scammers calling or texting customers with the Caller ID showing the company's name and reports of scammers approaching customers in-person.
"Scammers are often sophisticated and will try anything to take advantage of our customers," said Katie Davis, I&M's vice president of External Affairs and Customer Experience. "I&M will never call customers and demand immediate payment. If you suspect a scammer has contacted you - you can call us at the number listed on our website or latest account statement and confirm the status of your account and talk to a customer service specialist."
Here are the most common utility scams and what I&M wants you to know:
- Personal information. Criminals agree to mail checks for overpayments on an account if a customer confirms their personal information, including birthday, address and Social Security number. I&M will never call or email asking a customer for personal or financial information.
- Threat to disconnect. Scammers will call saying a customer’s utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected – usually within 30 minutes – if a payment is not made. I&M will provide multiple notices and help customers with payment plan options before service interruptions.
- Mobile Banking or Gift Card Payments. A scam artist says you need to make immediate payment through a mobile banking app. I&M will never ask for payments using a pre-paid debit card, gift card or third-party mobile applications.
- New meter refund. Criminals have started telling homeowners they need to pay for a new meter and make the payment before the meter is installed.
Scammers may try to fool customers in person the same way as over the phone with threats of shutting off service and demanding immediate payment. Never let someone into your home unless you verify their identity or have a scheduled appointment. I&M employees' uniforms vary, but often times they will have the company logo visible, be in a vehicle with the company logo and carry a company identification card, which you should request to see.
Customers can check account information by logging into their account on the I&M mobile app or www.IndianaMichiganPower.Com/account. If you receive a call that sounds like a scam or have a visit from someone claiming to be with I&M, please call the police and report the incident to I&M by calling 1-800-311-4634.
For more information utility scams, please visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/StopScams.
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La sede de Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) se encuentra en Fort Wayne, y sus, aproximadamente, 2,000 empleados prestan servicios a más de 600,000 clientes. Más del 85% de la energía eléctrica que proporcionó en 2023 fue libre de emisiones. I&M tiene a su disposición diversas fuentes de generación, lo que incluye 2,278 MW de generación de energía nuclear en Michigan, 450 MW de generación de energía eólica comprada de Indiana, más de 22 MW de generación de energía hidráulica en los dos estados y, aproximadamente, 35 MW de generación de energía solar a gran escala en los dos estados. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. La familia de compañías de AEP incluye a AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (en Virginia y Virginia Occidental), AEP Appalachian Power (en Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma y Southwestern Electric Power Company (en Arkansas, Louisiana, este de Texas y la región del Mango de Texas). AEP también es propietaria de AEP Energy, que brinda soluciones energéticas competitivas e innovadoras en todo el país. Para obtener más información, visite aep.com.
CONTACTO CON LOS MEDIOS:
Schnee Doyle
Consultor de Comunicaciones Sénior
574-218-5987
smdoyle@aep.com