Scammers appear to be targeting utility customers, especially those in Hispanic or Latino households.
Fort-Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power says the scam involves a caller claiming to represent the utility or its parent company, American Electric Power.
The caller tells the customer that a certain amount of money must be paid immediately or electricity service will be cut off. The scammer usually suggests that the customer purchase a pre-paid money card and says to call another phone number where the cash value is removed from the card or redirected to another user.
Indiana Michigan Power says it never suggests customers purchase money cards to pay their bills.
