Beware of electricity bill scams; MC explains the steps to avoid falling in the trap

electricity

In the con game universe, it is recurring theme. You get a message supposedly from your utility provider saying your bill is overdue and the power to your home will be snapped shortly, unless...

In the latest such instance, the police in Maharashtra’s Thane city on April 12 said they have registered a case after a woman alleged that she lost nearly Rs 5 lakh in an electricity bill scam.

In her complaint, the 52-year-old housewife from the Khopat area said she received a call on March 19 from a man who claimed to be from her power distribution company (discom). The caller told the woman that there was some outstanding amount on her bill.

“Under the pretext of helping the woman, the man asked her to click on a link, which he had shared through WhatsApp, and stole Rs 4.95 lakh from her bank account,” the official said.

What is the scam?

Electricity billing fraud, also called false billing fraud or overbilling fraud, involves scammers sending deceptive messages that claim unpaid dues.

These messages create panic by threatening immediate disconnection if the supposed outstanding amounts aren't paid immediately. Crafted shrewdly, these messages aim to panic the consumer into paying for non-existent charges.

Since most consumers in cities now pay electricity bills online, discoms notify customers about their bill amount and due date through SMS or WhatsApp messages. This is in addition to the physical copy of the bill which is still sent by many discoms, despite the lag in delivery time. Fraudsters are now exploiting this communication method by sending fake messages regarding unpaid electricity bills to defraud individuals.

Don't get zapped by this scam!️

A #Fake notice circulating on social media claims that your electricity will be cut off if you don't 'update' your bill#PIBFactCheck

️@MinOfPower has not issued this notice

️Be cautious while sharing your personal & financial information pic.twitter.com/u73K8VhSlH

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 8, 2024

Steps to avoid falling into the trap

According to an advisory from HDFC Bank, one of the many entities issuing such caveats, the following can be done to steer clear of such scams:

- Validate the sender's information: Cross-check the information to corroborate the sender's authenticity. Discoms will not send messages from random or unknown numbers.

- Examine the message thoroughly: Language/grammatical errors or unusual phrasing indicate a possible fraud. If anything seems amiss, verify the message's legitimacy with relevant authorities before taking action. Checking with the discom concerned is the best option.

- Seek confirmation from reliable sources: If doubtful about your electricity dues, talk directly to your discom. Talking to them first hand ensures you're getting the right information and protects you from scams.

- Safeguard your personal information: Government bodies and utilities don't ask for your private details in text messages or on calls. Be careful about giving out personal information. If you're not sure if a request is legitimate, refrain from sharing personal, financial or KYC (know your customer) details.

- Consider cyber insurance: ​​​​​​​Cyber insurance provides financial protection against online fraud. Getting the right policy gives you peace of mind. It's like a safety net to protect you in case something unexpected happens. There are multiple types of insurance available, so choose a plan that fits your requirements. However, having a cyber insurance policy is totally optional.