Utility Scam Hitting Customers

  
 
Utility customers in Indiana are the target of a new scam.

In the latest attempt to rob you of your hard-earned money, a consumer may receive a phone call from someone claiming to work for the utility company, with a fake number showing on the consumer’s caller ID. The caller will claim the customer has a delinquent bill, threaten to disconnect service and demand immediate payment, often with a prepaid debit card.

Be aware that an electric or natural gas utility under Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission jurisdiction must provide a customer with a written notice at least 14 days before service can be disconnected. A water utility under IURC jurisdiction must provide written notice at least seven days in advance.

Utilities outside IURC jurisdiction establish disconnection policies locally and customers are encouraged to know their utilities’ policies.