Officials warn of NIPSCO impersonators going door-to-door

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

Tools

NIPSCO - Northern Indiana Public Service Company

(WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Dec 7, 2007 at 5:48 PM EST

Story Updated: Dec 26, 2007 at 1:16 PM EST

(WSBT) There’s a new warning for hundreds of thousands of NIPSCO customers. After recent reports from the Gary and East Hammond area, the company wants you to look out for people going door-to-door claiming they work for NIPSCO.

The impersonators are trying to get inside homes. Once these people claim to be a NIPSCO employee, they ask to come inside to survey the homeowner's pipes.

It's been happening in northwest Indiana and police say being cautious could keep you out of danger.

Rubi Gucman has been patiently waiting for a NIPSCO worker to come to her family's home.

"They're going to check our heating system,” she said.

But when they arrive, she's not going to make it easy for them to walk through the front door.

"We're probably going to ask them for their ID to make sure they're from NIPSCO,” Gucman said.

With recent reports of people claiming to be NIPSCO workers and trying to get into homes, police say asking questions is exactly what people should be doing.

"You can always call the company and you can always ask, “Is it right that they're out in my area? Should they be here? Should they be doing these type of things?’” said Chief Mike Samp of the Mishawaka Police Department. “You can always ask them to come back."

"We don't make unsolicited calls to our customers and say we want to come in and check their pipes,” said NIPSCO spokesperson Mike Charbonneau

Police say your front door is your last line of defense, and you should never allow a stranger to cross it.

"So anytime they can gain entry into your home the potential for them to be able to cause you financial damage or harm somebody inside increases,” Samp said.

NIPSCO says no matter if you're suspicious or not, always ask to see the employee's ID before you let them in.

"It will have the employee ID number, a name and also a picture of the employee as well,” Charbonneau explained.

"I think the most important message here is don't get lazy,” said Samp.

Officials also say make sure the worker shows up in a vehicle with the NIPSCO logo on it.

If you think something suspicious is going on you should contact police and NIPSCO immediately.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 45.6
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
60 Minutes
8.00
The Amazing Race 15
9.00
Three Rivers
10.00
Cold Case
11.00
WSBT News
11.30
Paid Programming

Question of The Day

What is your reaction to the shootings at Fort Hood?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

Today's Mortgage Rates