GAHANNA, Ohio, November 15, 2021 – AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, reminds customers to be alert for scams. With the holidays right around the corner, this is a particularly high-risk time for many AEP Ohio customers -- including senior citizens, low-income residents and understaffed small businesses -- to be targeted by scammers. As part of Utility Scam Awareness Week (Nov. 14-20), AEP Ohio is reminding customers to be alert and know how to recognize scams so they can avoid falling victim to fraud and putting their financial safety at risk.

Whether they approach customers at home or by phone or email, scammers typically claim to be an AEP Ohio employee. These imposters often use the following techniques to prey on their targets:

• Threaten to shut off power unless an immediate payment is made;
• Tell customers they need a new electric meter, but must make a payment before the new meter is installed;
• Offer a discount on their AEP Ohio bill if they sign up for auto-pay; or
• Demand that a deposit be paid immediately, insist a payment be made with a prepaid credit card or ask to meet at another location to make a payment.

AEP Ohio encourages customers who experience any of the criteria above or feel threatened to:

• Check their account status online.
• Only make payments online at AEPOhio.com or through mail, by phone or at authorized payment locations.
• Check an employee’s status. AEP Ohio employees are always willing to show their company IDs. Customers can also verify an employee by calling AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231.
• Report suspicious activity by calling local law enforcement and AEP Ohio at 800-672-2231.

For more information visit AEPOhio.com/StopScams.

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About AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com. 

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieve net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

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