Here is some important information from Texas New Mexico Power Company website - everyone should be aware of the potential scams that may happen during an emergency situation like this - “Restoring power to almost 60 percent of our customers this soon after Hurricane Ike is a great accomplishment for TNMP,” said Neal Walker, TNMP vice president of Texas operations. “Now, our crews face the most difficult phase of the restoration process, which entails tackling the damage done to equipment in the back yards and alleyways in the communities we serve. We ask that customers continue to be patient as we continue to work diligently to restore power in a safe and timely manner.” Walker asks customers not only to be patient, but also to work with TNMP to ensure that work is completed safely and efficiently. Here are some things customers can do to help facilitate the process and avoid any scams that might arise out of the situation in the Gulf Coast:

• Turn on Front Porch Lights: For customers without power, flipping front porch light outlets to the on position helps TNMP crews determine which streets have power and which streets may still be in need of repair.
• Let Crews Do Their Work: Outside of emergencies, please allow the TNMP and mutual assistance crews complete their critical work. If crews are in your neighborhood, they are there specifically to help make repairs and restore power to your home or business. Interrupting them makes the work take longer, so please let them do their job of restoring service as quickly as possible.
• Avoid Scams: Some TNMP customers have reported instances of receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be calling from TNMP. The caller promises to restore power more quickly to customers if they pay a fee by providing credit card information over the phone. Please be assured that TNMP does not fast track restoration by charging its customers, and that all customers will be restored as soon as possible. TNMP will never call customers asking for payment during the restoration process, and customers are urged to never give out credit card or other personal information over the telephone.
• Be Safe: In the days to come, TNMP customers will see many TNMP and other utility employees in their neighborhoods making repairs. If someone claiming to be a utility worker asks for permission to enter your home or business, please do not grant them access and call the police immediately. TNMP employees will never ask to enter your residence or business. On occasion, a TNMP employee may knock on doors to ensure that power has been restored, but they will not ask to come inside. Also, customers should be aware that TNMP employees will wear clothing with official TNMP insignias visible and drive vehicles with TNMP logos on the doors. Plus, all TNMP employees will carry official TNMP employee badges.

TNMP estimates that approximately 50,000 Gulf Coast customers remain without power – about 10,000 in Brazoria County and 40,000 in Galveston County. This estimate includes customers in Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood, Alvin, La Marque, Angleton, Sweeny, West Columbia, Brazoria, Bailey’s Prairie, Hillcrest Village and Holiday Lakes. At this time, TNMP indicates that power has been restored to at least some parts of every community it serves. -- from Steph, SVP Diversified Services