Indiana Michigan Power is warning customers of scam artists posing as I&M personnel and threatening to disconnect service unless an immediate payment is made.

While utility scams have been an ongoing issue, I&M has recently seen an uptick in scam reports from customers. Customers are receiving phone calls with the number showing up on the caller ID is I&M’s customer service phone number of 800-311-4634.

Customers are told they are behind on their electric bill and are facing immediate disconnection. They are instructed to purchase a debit card, load the card with money, and then call an 800 number and provide the number from the card.

I&M says customers who receive such calls should hang up immediately and contact their local police department and then I&M’s Customer Operations Center at 800-311-4634 to report the scam.

Any customer whose electric bill is past due will receive a written notice of a possible disconnection and how to prevent it. I&M will not demand immediate payment over the phone.

While the specific scam being reported involves stealing money by phone, the utility says customers should always be on guard and on the lookout for falsified mail and email as well.