Scammers Targeting NIPSCO Customers Across Indiana
Posted
Staff Report-
MERRILLVILLE – NIPSCO has received an influx in calls from residential and business customers reporting several hundred cases of unknown callers claiming to be affiliated with the company and demanding payment through a prepaid card.
Some reports have indicated that scammers have appeared in person knocking on doors, while other reports have indicated that the company’s 1-800 customer service phone number was cloned to appear on caller IDs, according to a news release from the utility company.
NIPSCO is notifying customers to remind them of safety tips to avoid becoming a victim and emphasize that these calls are not from, or affiliated with, the company.
Safety Tips
• Call NIPSCO first. If you are not sure about a phone call, email, program, offer or person claiming to be affiliated with NIPSCO, call the 24-hour Customer Care Center at 800-464-7726.
• Guard your personal information. Never give personal information, including your NIPSCO account number, Social Security numbers and banking information to unconfirmed sources. NIPSCO asks for a Social Security number when establishing new service or verifying a customer’s identity.
• Know your payment options. NIPSCO will never ask for a prepaid debit card or money gram as a payment method. Learn more about NIPSCO’s payment options at NIPSCO.com/billing-payment-options so you can spot a potential scam.
• Never agree to meet in person. Some scams ask customers to meet them in person to make payments with cash or prepaid cards, which you should avoid.
If Someone Visits Your Home Or Business:
• Ask to see ID. NIPSCO employees and contractors carry photo ID badges and will gladly show you upon request.
• Use caution with cash. NIPSCO employees do not collect cash payments nor deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers. Refrain from sending cash through the mail to prevent loss or theft.
For more information about scams, visit NIPSCO.com/staysafe.
