By Michael Bianski, I&M Communications—
FORT WAYNE – Ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is sharing simple ways to spot and stop scams to keep you safe.
Criminals often attempt to pressure customers into paying “unpaid bills” to avoid disconnection. These scams affect both homes and businesses. As of November 2025, I&M has received more than 300 scam reports from customers.
“We understand how stressful and unsettling it can be to receive a call threatening to disconnect your power,” said Katie Runkle, vice president of Customer Experience and External Affairs. “By knowing the signs of a scam, you can avoid unnecessary worry and keep your account and personal information secure While scams happen year-round, we often see an uptick during colder months and the holidays because scammers know customers depend on electricity to keep warm.”
Here are five tips to help stop scammers:
- We’ll never disconnect your power without multiple warnings. Scammers will often say a customers’ 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.
- We’ll never ask for payments using pre-paid debit cards, gift cards or third-party mobile applications. Criminals may ask customers to make immediate payment through these alternative methods.
- Our employees never collect payments in person. Scammers may go door-to-door posing as an I&M employee demanding payment or offering a special deal. While I&M employees’ uniforms vary, often they will 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.
- We will never call or email asking a customer for personal or financial 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.
- When in doubt, hang up and call I&M at 1-800-311-4634 to report a potential scam. Scammers are tricky and can use Caller ID spoofing software to try and convince customers the text or call is real.
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.
About Indiana Michigan Power
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2024 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
