FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2004
| FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
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Dina Anderson, Communications Manager |
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MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) advises customers to protect themselves against phone solicitors and imposters who might call misrepresenting themselves as NIPSCO representatives in order to obtain confidential personal information.
"Never give out private information over the phone to someone claiming to be a NIPSCO employee or working on our behalf, unless you’re sure of his or her identity," said NIPSCO General Manager Tim Dehring. "NIPSCO will only contact customers for billing issues, storm restoration, or as a service call follow-up when NIPSCO works at your home."
Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and uses personal information such as your name, social security number, credit card number, or other identifying information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.
"Identity theft is a serious crime," said Dehring. "People whose identities have been stolen can spend a great deal of time and money restoring their good name and credit record."
NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With nearly 700,000 natural gas customers and 440,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.nisource.com.