Criminals will do anything to steal money from unsuspecting victims. With the COVID-19 pandemic and holidays right around the corner, this is a particularly high-risk time for many people including senior citizens, low-income residents and understaffed small businesses.

It’s important to be alert and know how to spot the signs of a scammer. Scammers posing as AEP Ohio employees often target those who are most vulnerable, including senior citizens, low-income residents and small business owners. Have a conversation with your older loved ones about the importance of recognizing scams so that they’re not victims of fraud and putting their financial safety at risk.

Whether they approach by phone, email or at your front door, scammers typically claim to be an AEP Ohio employee. These imposters will threaten to shut your power off if you don’t make an immediate payment.

We’ve also recently learned of scammers targeting our customers with automated calls, threatening disconnection. Please know, we don’t make automated phone calls with important information about your account status. 

You’re probably talking to a scammer if they:

  • Demand immediate payment
  • Insist a payment be made with a prepaid credit card
  • Ask to meet at another location to make a payment

Here are some key ways to recognize scams and stay safe:

  • If you’re told your account is past due, you should check your account status online.
  • Only make payments online at AEPOhio.com or through mail, online, by phone or at authorized payment locations.
  • AEP Ohio employees are always willing to show their company IDs. Just ask.
  • If you’re ever unsure about someone’s identity, call AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you think you are being targeted by a scammer, end the conversation immediately and call AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231. To stay up to date on scam warnings, follow AEP Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on recognizing and reporting scams, visit AEPOhio.com/StopScams.

7 responses to “Protect Yourself From Scammers

  1. A couple of weeks ago 2 gentlemen came to my door saying I had picked a supplier and that it was on my bill for 9 months that I needed to do this. They wanted to look at my bill. I did not give them the bill, told them I was uncomfortable. They were pretty persistent. Seemed like a scam, was it?

    1. Hi Donna! Well, in Ohio you do have the choice to “shop around” and choose your energy supplier. So that sometimes explains the reason you may have had someone come to your door. More information is available at http://www.energychoice.ohio.gov. If you ever have immediate concerns about a possible scammer, please call us right away and we can help: (800) 672-2231.

  2. I am a senior citizen. I receive scams every day of the week. I quit answering my phone unless it is family, if they leave a message I can call them back. Most scamers don’t leave a message they just call you 10 more times.
    People that want your business will not make you feel uncomfortable.
    It’s a sad world we live in.

  3. I have recvd many calls from”AEP” saying because I havnt missed a payment I can rcve a discount of some percent on my bill. They then ask for my last month bill total. I always just hang up figuring your company already has that info so why not go ahead and give me the discount. Am I right or wrong.?

    1. No, Garry, it doesn’t sound like you’re doing anything wrong at all! If you ever have any questions about your bill, please call us at (800) 672-2231 or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter. We’ll be able to take a closer look at your account if you’d like us to. Thanks for your question — have a great day!

  4. My answering system gives me the option to block the numbers that I do not wish to get calls from. It is amazing how much this has reduced the number of calls that I now recieve.
    I also use caller ID and if the incoming call is not on my list I DO NOT answer the phone. Most of the time it is some kind of scam because a lot of the time these people do not even leave a message. If that happens then I just add that number to my BLOCK CALL LIST.

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