A new scam related to electricity bill payments has resurfaced, putting innocent people at risk. Scammers are employing a cunning tactic of hacking into individuals’ phones and sending them text messages claiming that their electricity bill is unpaid. The messages, which appear to be from the electricity department, warn recipients that their home’s power will be cut off tonight unless they clear their outstanding bill immediately.
To protect yourself from falling victim to this online scam, it is important to follow these precautions:
1. Verify the Source: Only use the official websites and apps provided by legitimate electricity providers for making online bill payments.
2. Check URLs: Before proceeding with any online payment, ensure that the website’s URL begins with “https://” and has a padlock symbol, indicating a secure and encrypted connection.
3. Verify Payment Requests: Always double-check the authenticity of payment requests and the sender’s information before making any transactions. Be cautious of any suspicious or urgent payment demands.
4. Secure Communication Channels: When seeking assistance or making inquiries about payments, only communicate through legitimate customer support channels provided by the electricity provider. Do not share personal or financial information with unknown or unauthorized sources.
5. Use Official Apps: Download UPI (Unified Payments Interface) apps only from trusted and verified sources, such as official app stores.
In case you become a victim of this electricity bill payment scam, it is crucial to take immediate action to minimize potential damage and prevent further losses. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. UPI Payment Apps: If you suspect fraudulent activity, go to the Help section of UPI payment apps like Phone Pe, Google Pay, Paytm, and others. Raise an issue under the “have an issue with the transaction” option.
2. Customer Care Number: Contact the customer care number of the UPI payment apps to report the issue. A customer care agent will assist you in raising a ticket and resolving your problem.
3. Webform Submission: Utilize PhonePe’s webform to raise a ticket and report the scam incident.
4. Social Media Reporting: Report fraudulent incidents through PhonePe’s official Twitter and Facebook handles.
5. Grievance Reporting: If you have an existing complaint, log in to your account and share the previously raised ticket ID to report a grievance.
6. Cyber Crime Cell: If all else fails, report the fraud to the nearest Cyber Crime cell or register a complaint online at [official website]. You can also contact the Cyber Crime Cell helpline at 1930 for assistance.
Remember, staying vigilant and following these precautions will help protect yourself from falling prey to scams and frauds. Stay safe and secure while making online electricity bill payments!
