Portage, IN – A Portage resident was targeted in a phone scam over the weekend involving a fraudulent demand for payment to avoid utility disconnection.
According to the Portage Police Department, the victim received a phone call falsely claiming that her NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company) services were about to be shut off unless an immediate payment was made. The scammer then sent barcodes to the victim’s cellphone and instructed her to scan them at a local store’s self-checkout system to submit payment.
Authorities say the scam mimicked urgency and fear to trick the individual into compliance. NIPSCO has publicly stated in the past that it does not call customers to demand immediate payments and warns the public to be cautious of such tactics.
The Portage Police Department is urging residents to remain vigilant and verify any utility-related calls directly with the service provider. More information on scam prevention is available at NIPSCO’s official website.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or fallen victim to a similar scam is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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