Utility warns customers of scam targeting Latinos

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A power company is warning its customers of a telephone scam that appears to target Hispanic and 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 target 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 to call another phone number where the cash value is removed from the card or the card is redirected to another user.

The utility says it doesn’t suggest customers purchase money cards to pay their bills.