City of Hammond Community Development

08/20/2026

SCAM ALERT – BE CAUTIOUS OF CALLERS CLAIMING TO BE FROM NIPSCO

The Hammond Police Department is advising residents to be extremely vigilant when receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to represent NIPSCO.

Scammers are currently attempting to steal personal and identifying information by posing as utility representatives.

Please remember:

• If you receive a call or recording asking you to purchase gift cards or other items as a form of payment, hang up immediately.
• Do not provide Social Security numbers, banking information, credit card numbers, passwords, or other identifying information to an unsolicited caller.
• If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and independently verify NIPSCO’s phone number before calling back. Do not simply redial the number that appeared on your caller ID or use a number provided by the caller.
• Never allow a caller to pressure or frighten you into making an immediate payment.

Scammers can make phone calls appear very convincing, and caller ID information can be manipulated to make it look as though the call is coming from a legitimate company.

Please be especially cautious and share this information with family members, friends, and neighbors who may be vulnerable to these scams.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam or have provided personal or financial information to a scammer, contact police immediately.

Thank you, stay vigilant, and be safe.

08/20/2026

On Aug. 17, Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Holly Lambert issued a bulletin due to the recent severe weather calling for a 60-day moratorium for cancellation of any insurance policy in effect for any policyholder directly affected by the disaster events residing within the State of Indiana, and a suspension of any penalty attached to the late payment therein.

This moratorium took effect on Aug. 17, but the Indiana Department of Insurance expects insurers to apply this moratorium retroactively to the day before the disaster occurred in Indiana.

View the full moratorium athttps://www.in.gov/idoi/files/2026.08.17%20Bulletin%20280%20Signed.pdf

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

🚨ALL FREE MEALS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED 🚨

The Hammond Urban Enterprise Association is collaborating with the City of Hammond, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Van Til’s, Old National Bank, and The Branding Room Floor to host a free community meal giveaway TOMORROW!

It will begin at 5 PM at the Hammond Civic Center, and it will be both drive-through and walk-up. To help serve as many community members as possible, meals will be provided one per person present in the vehicle. First come, first-served, while supplies last!