Electricity bill Scam

If you pay your electricity bill online, then you must read about this latest scam that fraudsters are using to trick people. Electricity boards or suppliers often inform customers about the total amount of the electricity bill for a certain month and the due date via SMS or WhatsApp messages. Using a similar format, scamsters are now sending fake messages about unpaid electricity dues to users to dupe them.

Many users have been receiving messages on WhatsApp or via SMS from random numbers that says that their electricity connection will be suspended soon unless they immediately call a certain number. The message reads: "Dear Customer Your Electricity power will be disconnected Tonight at 10.30 pm from electricity office. because your previous month bill was not update, please immediately contact with our electricity 8509658275 Thank you."

The State Bank of India (SBI) recently warned customers against falling prey to fraudulent messages about unpaid electricity bills. "Understand "YehWrongNumberHai"! Never call back or respond to such SMSs as these are a scam to steal your personal/financial information. Stay Alert and #SafeWithSBI," the lender wrote in a post on Twitter.

The bank has also pointed out a few ways to find out whether the SMS you are getting regarding your electricity bill is real or fake. Follow these steps:

1) You need to check whether the message has come from a personal phone number or an official number. The electricity board or supplier generally sends SMS from an official number.

2) Check if any message or person (calling from a random number) is asking you to take immediate action about your electricity bill payment. Fraudsters often create urgency or panic, so that individuals do not have much time to think.

3) Read the message carefully and you will find several spelling and grammatical errors.

The bank has asked the users to make safe choices and verify the source before taking any action.

Moreover, if you have missed the payment of your electricity bill for any month, contact the electricity board or supplier. You can find the official contact details of any electricity board in your previous electricity bills.

Text message scams, also known as smishing, are one of the most popular tricks scamsters use to steal personal information and money. Fraudsters also trick individuals in the guise of updating their Know your Customer (KYC) details online.

Thank you

Stay with us to get latest cyber crime & cyber security tips

Stay Safe