Fake penalty on a commercial electricity connection
A message says your shop's electricity connection has a penalty or will be cut, and asks for payment to a personal number.
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How it works
- An SMS or call says your shop's electricity connection has a penalty, an unpaid bill or a meter fault and will be cut tonight.
- You are told to call an "electricity officer", who asks you to pay to his mobile number or UPI, or to install an app to "update" the bill.
- The money goes to the scammer, or the app gives him control of your phone and bank account.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Dear Consumer, your commercial electricity connection will be disconnected tonight at 9.30 pm as your previous bill was not updated. Call electricity officer 98XXXXXX10 immediately.
Sir, there is a penalty of Rs 8,200 on your meter. Pay on my UPI or install this app to clear it, otherwise the lineman is coming.
Red flags
- Disconnection tonight, from a mobile number
- Payment to a personal UPI ID
- Asked to install an app
- Told a paid bill is still pending
The one question to ask
Does your electricity company's own app or website, opened by you, show any amount due?
Already paid or shared details?
If you installed an app, uninstall it, switch off mobile data and call your bank on the number printed on your card to block UPI and cards. If any money has left, call 1930 at once and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with the SMS and the number.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Home electricity disconnection SMS
- Fake gas connection or water bill penalty
- Fake smart meter installation fee