AKRON, Ohio — The parent company of local electricity providers has launched a website to help educate customers about fraud and scams targeting utility customers.

First Energy Corp’s new site at www.firstenergycorp.com/scaminfo provides descriptions of scams as well as tips and resources to help customers identify the schemes.

Some of the most widespread scams targeting utility customers include:

n Callers who claim to represent an electric utility and threaten to shut off a customer’s power unless an immediate payment is made.

n Scammers who visit customers in person and often attempt to steal property or personal information while reviewing an electric bill or other documents.

n Callers demanding payment for replacing an electric meter or other equipment, and threatening to disconnect service unless an immediate payment is made.

The company says the easiest way to combat many scams is for customers to call police and their electric supplier’s customer service center and report suspicious activity.