SHREVEPORT, La., May 30, 2013 – Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is alerting customers in its service area to a telephone scam involving demand of payment by prepaid money cards to avoid disconnection of service.

The scam involves a telephone call in which the caller claims to represent SWEPCO or its parent company, American Electric Power (AEP). The customer is told that a certain amount of money must be paid immediately or electric service will be shut off. The scammer usually suggests that the customer purchase a prepaid money card and then provides instructions for using that card to pay the amount supposedly due on the account.

SWEPCO advises all customers to be aware of the scam. The company does not suggest purchase of money cards as a way to pay electric bills. Information on legitimate options for paying bills is available at www.SWEPCO.com or by calling the company’s Customer Solutions Center, toll-free, at 1-888-216-3523. Customers can call the Customer Solutions Center with any questions or to verify the status of their account.