Electricity bill scam

How it works

An SMS says your power will be cut tonight over an unpaid bill and gives an "officer's" mobile number to call.

Red flags

• !A disconnection threat for tonight, usually with a specific time.
• !An ordinary ten-digit mobile number given as the “electricity officer”.
• !You are asked to install an app so they can “update your bill”.
• !You are asked to make a small payment first to “verify” your account.

Example

Electricity boards send bills and notices through their own channels, not from a personal mobile number.

This is an illustration of the pattern, not a copy of a real message. Real ones vary in wording.

What to do

1. 01Do not call the number in the message.
2. 02Check your bill on your electricity board’s own app or website, or on your last paper bill.
3. 03Never install a screen-sharing or “support” app at a caller’s request.
4. 04If you already shared details or installed an app, call your bank and remove the app.
5. 05If money has gone, call 1930 immediately.

Where to report

• Your bank

  Call the number printed on the back of your card or shown in your bank’s own app, and ask them to block the card or account and dispute the transaction.

• Call 1930

  The national cyber-fraud helpline. If money has left your account, call straight away — the sooner it is reported, the better the chance of the money being frozen.

  Call 1930

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

  File a complaint online at cybercrime.gov.in. Keep the acknowledgement number it gives you.

  Open cybercrime.gov.in

• Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu)

  Report the suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp number to the Department of Telecommunications, even if you lost nothing.

  Open sancharsaathi.gov.in