Utility Scam Awareness Day is recognized during the week of International Fraud Awareness Week (second week of November) to help raise awareness and educate customers about scams targeting electric, water and natural gas customers.

Scammers use phone, in-person and online tactics to elicit personal and financial information from customers. Below are signs someone may be impersonating a SWEPCO employee to scam you.

Someone contacts you asking for personal or financial information

SWEPCO will never ask customers to provide us personal or financial information. If someone claiming to be with SWEPCO calls, visits in-person or emails you asking for this information or other personal information, call us immediately at 1-888-216-3523 to report the scam.

Someone threatens to shut off your power unless a payment is made immediately

SWEPCO will never demand immediate payment with prepaid debit cards or threaten to shut off power if payment isn’t made. We will inform you if your payment is past due, and you can log in to your account to verify your status at SWEPCO.com.

Someone says you need a new meter, but a payment must be made first

If a new meter is needed, SWEPCO will never request that a payment must be made before doing the work. If someone comes to your home demanding a payment, contact us immediately. We will always show an employee ID if asked.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you believe you’ve been scammed, contact your local police through their non-emergency telephone number and report the scam. Also remember to call us at 1-888-216-3523 to report it. We track scam attempts and work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute scammers.

Learn more about reporting fraud and scams at SWEPCO.com/StopScams.