It’s not bad enough that you’ve been without power since Saturday in many cases and then along comes a scam artist trying to steal your identity or do other harm. As we get the latest numbers on the power outages across the region from the electric company, they’ve also been forced to issue a scam alert based on recent activity. Here’s what the utility is putting out:
Indiana Michigan Power is receiving reports that some customers have been called by someone falsely claiming to represent the company and asking for the customers’ Social Security numbers before their service will be restored following the Saturday windstorm.
This is false. I&M will reconnect service disrupted by the storm as soon as possible without the customers’ Social Security numbers. I&M will not ask for Social Security numbers related to calls about their disrupted service.
Customers who have any questions should call the Indiana Michigan Power Customer Service. Michigan customers should call 800-311-6424; Indiana customers should call 800-311-4634.
Meanwhile, I&M’s latest report shows that they have restored power to 99-percent of Indiana customers and about 86-percent of Michigan customers affected by Saturday’s storms and high winds. 2,450 customers remained out as of 9 pm tonight, down from a peak of 31,200.
Gusts exceeding 50 mph caused trees and limbs to fall, tearing down power lines and breaking dozens of poles across I&M’s territory. Crews have worked hard over the weekend, and I&M appreciates customers’ patience as they continue to repair the widespread damage. Crews will keep at it, working 16 hour days until power is restored to all customers. Additional crews from Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin have joined the region to assist, and crews who have been finishing repairs in the Fort Wayne and Muncie areas are heading north as well.
Significant progress was made in South Bend and in southwest Michigan today. Utility line workers from Wisconsin, Kentucky and Ohio joined I&M crews to strengthen the restoration effort.
The extent of the damage caused by the windstorms was apparent in the number of poles destroyed or damaged. Line crews replaced or repaired 40 poles.
Many of the customers who remain without power are in smaller outages, a number of them involving a single customer. As the restoration nears completion, I&M crews will work to address these smaller outages and will often be working on side roads, in neighborhoods and in customers’ yards. I&M asks customers with line damage in their yards to secure their pets so crews can safely restore power.
The approximate numbers of outages per county at 9pm tonight are:
INDIANA: 250
- LaPorte County: 150
- St. Joseph County: 100
MICHIGAN: 2,200
- Berrien County: 2,100
- Van Buren County: 100
The estimated timed of restoration for remaining customers in Michigan and the South Bend area is 3 pm Tuesday.
As work continues, crews will be increasingly working on side roads, in neighborhoods and in customers’ yards. They ask you to please be aware of trucks and personnel on narrow roads and slow down and/or move over when passing by.
Remember, downed wires should always be considered energized and dangerous. Keep away from them and anything they could be touching. Watch for wires down that could be touching fences or hidden under tree limbs or debris. Stay away and call 800-311-4634 to report any downed wires. Also keep your eyes out for broken limbs and branches that may not have fallen yet. Look up and check your surroundings to make sure you stay safe.
Customers are encouraged to report outages every 24 hours, and can do so or check the latest restoration information for their account via the website ( IndianaMichiganPower.com/Outages ) or the new mobile app; search for Indiana Michigan Power in the App Store or Google Play to download it today.
You can also follow along on Facebook (Indiana Michigan Power) and Twitter (@IN_MI_Power) for the latest updates.
