NIPSCO warns customers of scams during COVID-19 pandemic

Contributed By:The 411 News

Merrillville — Scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic are on the rise. Calls from scammers to homes and businesses posing as NIPSCO employees continue to occur —an issue impacting many energy companies around the United States.

Recent, and common reports from NIPSCO residential and business customers state that they have received calls and texts from people claiming to be NIPSCO employees and demanding payment to avoid their service being disconnected.

However, the company wants to emphasize that NIPSCO does not demand immediate payment by meeting us in person or using a specific type of payment method. If a customer receives a suspicious call like this, they should hang up and immediately contact NIPSCO’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-464-7726 to check on the status of their account.

Additionally, customers should NOT call any number they are given.

Because of the financial impact on customers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, NIPSCO voluntarily suspended shutoffs for non-payment and waived late fees in mid-March, prior to the issuance of Governor Holcomb’s executive order.

When the executive order expires, NIPSCO plans to continue suspending shutoffs for non-payment until further notice to provide additional help to customers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will provide advanced notice and communications following any changes to these decisions and we will continue to work with customers on our most flexible arrangements. Assistance is available and to learn more, please visit NIPSCO.com or you can speak with a representative.

If you are unsure about a phone call, email, program, offer or person claiming to be affiliated with NIPSCO, please call NIPSCO's 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-464-7726.

Never give personal information, including your NIPSCO account number, social security number and/or banking information to unconfirmed sources. NIPSCO only asks for a social security number when establishing new service or verifying a customer’s identity.

The utility will never ask for a pre-paid debit card or money gram as a payment method. To more easily spot a potential scam, learn more about payment options at NIPSCO.com/bills-and-payments .

Never agree to meet in person. Some scammers ask customers to meet them in person to make payments with cash or prepaid cards. If someone visits your home or business, ask to see identification. NIPSCO employees and contractors carry photo ID badges and will gladly show you upon request.

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 on authorized, secure payment methods and locations, visit: NIPSCO.com/billsand-payments.

Story Posted:07/10/2020