Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) reminders customers to stay safe and avoid being scammed in response to a recent scam involving tree trimming impersonators.

The victim, an 87-yearold Porter County resident had $2,500 stolen from inside his home by two men claiming to be tree trimmers contracted by NIPSCO. One of the impersonators distracted the customer while the accomplice broke into the home. The two men would not show the customer any identification.

As part of the company’s ongoing electric reliability and tree trimming program, NIPSCO uses only nationally recognized, insured and properly certified contractors to perform tree work along power lines.

All NIPSCO authorized tree contractor personnel carry photo ID issued by their company to clearly identify themselves as legitimate workers. Identification cards include the NIPSCO logo and the employee’s photograph, name and number. As an added measure, all contractor supervisors carry an additional NIPSCO issued photo ID.

Report all suspicious individuals to the police immediately and if there is any doubt as to whether someone is conducting authorized NIPSCO business or not their identity can be immediately verified by calling (800) 464-7726.

Information on NIPSCO’s tree trimming program, including a list of authorized tree contractors can be obtained at nipsco. com/trees.