Criminals will do anything to steal money from unsuspecting victims. And they don’t work regular hours or observe holidays.

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 to 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.

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.

33 responses to “Scammers Aren’t on Holiday Break

  1. I keep receiving a phone call at my local small restaurant down in Columbus Ohio telling my employee that the electricity will be shut down in 30 minutes this at least having twice or three times a month

    1. Hi. Thanks for alerting us. This definitely sounds like a possible scam. Please give us a call at (800) 672-2231 to report the issue and we can look into what’s going on.

  2. Hi I’m just wondering who this group of people is that keeps insisting that AEP over charged me and is giving me a 30 % discount on my bill?

    1. Hi Bradley. We are happy to walk through you your bill and any discount offers you may have received. Please give us a call at (800) 672-2231.

  3. Thank you for the info! Another scam that has come across on the phone is one saying that you are owed a rebate for being overcharged on your electric bill …I never go farther than this and hang up! So sad we are in a time of people thinking how they can get money dishonestly, they could better our world if using their minds for something good to prosper many.

    1. I agree wholeheartedly with your comment about bettering our world by using their minds for something good.

  4. To bad this world is getting to be like this. What I am going to do is get rid of my landline phone so I don’t have to worry about scammers and anybody else that wants to try to take me for my money. Thank you AEP for looking out for us.

  5. Does anyone know if the scammers wear AEP uniforms or hard hats? ID badges, perhaps? Those would tend to frighten customers.

    Insofar as I know, AEP and other utilities will never ask for direct payment, but I do not know if this policy extends to cable TV firms, whose installers have acted as salesmen in the past. This could add to confusion.

    It might be a good idea to address these points in future notices. Meanwhile, thanks for doing what you do, and for keeping the lights on.

    1. Hi Mark. Yes, scammers sometimes use sophisticated tactics, so it’s better to be safe. If you ever have a question about someone’s legitimacy, please call us at (800) 672-2231. We can help verify their identity.

  6. The callers saying you are owed a rebate for an overcharge are relentless. I also hang up each time they call !!

  7. November 21,2019. At 6 15pm,just received a call about a rebate. 419.203.8905 was the number. I did not speak.

  8. I had the same call as Sharon Whitfield today telling me that I was owed a rebate for being overcharged. I laughed at him and told him “I don’t believe you” and hung up.
    It is sad that we can’t answer the phone anymore without worrying about who is calling us.. They are trying to scam us all the time now.

  9. We also have received calls saying we are owed a rebate or have overpaid our bill to AEP. We usually do not answer calls from unknown callers or just hang up. These calls seem to be more frequent lately.

  10. I got a call from a man allegedly from AEP who told me I was going to receive a lower rate and he said some numbers. He said he had a confirmation number and told me to write it on my my bill — At that point I hung up. my bill comes by e mail, by the way.

    1. Hi Carol. If you haven’t already, please call us at (800) 672-2231 to report the scam attempt. We track them and can also make sure everything is OK with your account.

    2. This sounds fishy. You were right to hang up the phone. Please call us at (800) 672-2231 to report the issue and we can make sure everything is OK with your account.

  11. Thanks for the info – I will pass on the message. We are a new customer since Oct 1918. Good job. I read ALL your worthy notes. Wishing all AEP personnel a happy thanksgiving and safe and joyous christmas

  12. Two days ago, around my apartment complex, I saw two men walking around all day with a pink hat with “Inspire” on it. One came to my front door asking me questions that I felt suspicious until I asked a question, and he took off. Within half hour, I needed to leave, I saw the other guy hanging around and walking back and forth in front of my apartment building. I didn’t know what to do except to circle around my apartment building several times until they left.

    Were they scammers?

    1. Hi Carrie. Thanks for letting us know. The best thing to do if you’re ever unsure is to immediately call us at (800) 672-2231. We can help verify their identity and work with law enforcement if necessary. Good work — being alert is an important first step!

  13. I think I’m being scammed. Even after paying the amount they say I still get a disconnect notice every month for the past year. I am looking into hiring an attorney for this matter. I have paid over the amount due every month and still get a disconnect notice.

    1. Hi Ebony. I’m glad you let us know. Please call as soon as possible at (800) 672-2231 so we can examine your account and find out what’s going on.

  14. I have had several people come to my door claiming to be with AEP and claiming I am being overcharged by a third party. They ask to see my bill. I’ve had two people come to my door in two weeks.

  15. Received phone call from someone identifying themselves as being from the “AEP Ohio Electric Supply Company” telling me I have been overcharged and eligible for a $50 gift card, etc… Call shows as being from an Ohio location, but it sounds like the call is from overseas. Told the person on the phone that this sounded like a scam and despite their denials, I hung up.

    1. Hi Corey. The best thing you can do is ask for identification and call AEP Ohio immediately at 800-672-2231. We can confirm any of our personnel and answer any of your questions.

  16. I have received several calls and usually ignore. Today I answered and the person said I was eligible to receive a 30% rate reduction on my bill. When we got to the point of asking for my account # I ended the call. Scam?

  17. I had someone come to my apartment requesting to see my AEP bill stating that he needed it to “update their records.” I said that I didn’t have a copy of my bill and he stated that I needed to keep the next bill that I received and they would be back in a month. Is this something that AEP does? He did not have any identification on him and was only carrying his cell phone, no paperwork.

  18. I just received a call that did not come up as AEP and was listed as Youngstown Ohio. They told me I was overcharged on my electricity bill and would get a rebate. I hung up when they asked me to confirm my information. Obviously, if I had been truly overcharged, the company would just credit my account. Beware.

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