Northern Indiana Public Service Company is introducing a new look for its field crews in an effort to improve customer confidence and strengthen scam awareness.

Employees working in the field have begun wearing white hard hats, replacing the yellow helmets customers have been accustomed to seeing. The change is part of a broader initiative by NiSource, NIPSCO’s parent company, to use the same safety equipment across all of its utility operations.

Company officials say the updated hard hats are intended to make it easier for customers to recognize legitimate utility workers at a time when impostor scams remain a concern. They also say using one standard design will simplify purchasing and inventory while maintaining workplace safety standards.

NIPSCO is reminding customers to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the utility before allowing them into a home. Employees and contractors carry company identification and should be willing to present it upon request.

The utility also advises customers to be skeptical of anyone requesting immediate payment or asking for personal or financial information. NIPSCO says it does not contact customers demanding payment by prepaid debit or gift cards.

Information about common utility scams and reporting suspicious activity is available on the company’s website.