AES Indiana, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), has received an increase in reports about payment scams. Scammers continue to be a problem for all utilities across the country. One of the most common types of utility scams involves customers receiving unsolicited telephone, electronic or in-person communications by an individual claiming to represent the utility. The scammer demands payment immediately or service will be disconnected within 30 minutes or soon thereafter.
Most recently, scammers are contacting customers to pay their monthly AES Indiana bill at kiosks throughout the city – this is a scam. The only kiosk that accept AES Indiana bill payments is located at 21st and Illinois Streets. Customers who use a different payment option should continue to pay their bill the same way they always have. If a customer forgets the new website address and goes to the previous IPL website, they will be redirected to aesindiana.com.
Here are additional warning signs and tips to prevent becoming a victim of utility scams:
- Do not engage with people who unexpectedly call and request account and billing information. Customers can check the status of their account any time by signing up for a free online account and enrolling in alerts to stay informed. If AES Indiana does call a customer, the representative will have specific and accurate information related to the customer's billing and account. Do not act on threatening phone calls.
- This includes threats to disconnect electric service if a payment isn’t made immediately, and threats insisting a specific payment type, such as a prepaid debit card. AES Indiana does not require or strongly recommend a specific payment method or type. We offer a variety of payment options so customers can select the one that best suits them.
- Do not answer anyone who shows up at a home or business unannounced without identification. AES Indiana technicians will always carry an official ID badge. Customers should notify AES Indiana if they receive a call and are unsure that the caller is truly an AES Indiana employee.
- Please call AES Indiana at 317-261-8222 for residential customers or 317-261-8444 for business customers to verify any questions you may have related to AES Indiana bill payment and collection.
AES Indiana also warns customers that scams are becoming more sophisticated. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to a caller ID display to disguise their identity. Scammers often use neighbor spoofing, so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number or spoof a number from a company or a government agency that is known and trusted. These scammers use scripts to try to steal customer’s money or valuable personal information, which can be used in other fraudulent activity.
If customers suspect they have been scammed, they should call the local police department non-emergency number immediately to report the incident. Additionally, sharing this information with friends and colleagues could prevent someone else from becoming a victim of scams. Learn more at aesindiana.com/bill-payment-scams. You can also visit aesindiana.com/hellofuture to learn more about our recent name change and how we are accelerating the future of energy, together.
About AES Indiana
AES Indiana, an AES Company, provides retail electric service to more than 500,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, AES Indiana has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. Connect with AES Indiana on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about how AES Indiana is accelerating the future of energy, visit aesindiana.com/hellofuture.