Don’t Get Fooled! How to Spot and Stop Utility Scams in Indiana

CenterPoint Energy is urging Evansville residents and customers throughout Indiana to stay vigilant as reports of utility scams continue to rise. Scammers are posing as company representatives, using aggressive tactics to pressure customers into making immediate payments through non-traditional methods such as gift cards or wire transfers.

How Scammers Operate This Scam

These scammers often manipulate caller ID information, making it appear as if the call is coming from CenterPoint Energy, and that is pretty scary. They may use urgent language, threatening immediate service disconnection if payment is not received right away. Even worse, some go door-to-door impersonating utility workers to gain access to homes.

Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at CenterPoint Energy, advises:
“We urge our customers to remain vigilant against these bad actors who could target them and encourage everyone to take action to safeguard their personal and financial information.”

Spotting Utility Scams: Red Flags to Watch For

To help customers recognize and avoid utility scams, CenterPoint Energy provides these important tips:

• Hang up on suspicious calls. If someone claims to be from CenterPoint and demands immediate payment, do not engage. Instead, call the company directly at 800-227-1376 to verify your account status.
• Never share personal information. CenterPoint representatives will never ask for banking or credit card details over the phone. Payments are only processed through a secure automated system.
• Beware of unusual payment requests. Scammers often ask for payment through:
  • Gift cards (Amazon, iTunes, etc.)
  • Prepaid debit cards
  • Money wire transfers
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Mobile payment apps (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc.)
• Verify worker identification. If someone claiming to be from CenterPoint Energy knocks on your door, ask for official identification. When in doubt, call the company to confirm.

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What to Do If You’re Targeted by a Utility Scam

If you believe you’ve encountered a scam, take these steps:

1. End communication immediately. Hang up the phone or close the door if someone seems suspicious.
2. Report the incident. Contact local law enforcement and your utility provider to report the scam attempt.
3. Notify financial institutions. If you mistakenly provided payment information, alert your bank or credit card company right away.
4. Report to authorities. File complaints with organizations such as:
   • The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
   • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
   • The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
5. Spread the word. Inform neighbors, friends, and family to prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.

Stay Informed & Protect Your Account

To verify your account status or report suspicious activity, always use the official CenterPoint Energy contact information found on your billing statement or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Billing.

By staying informed and cautious, we can protect ourselves from utility scams and make sure that our accounts remain secure. If you’ve ever wondered “Why is my gas bill so high?”—make sure it’s due to real usage, not a scam!