Fraud alert: Got an 'Unpaid electricity bill' FAKE message? Here's how you can avoid such scam

Technology, instead of becoming a solution to multiple problems, is becoming a disruptor and hurling challenges at ordinary people every day. This time, by means of an electricity bill fraud in Uttar Pradesh. Since a continuous electricity supply is a necessity in our lives today, fraudsters and scammers have adopted a new technique to dupe citizens and make money.

In response, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd released a press note, informing people to not get lured into the scam.

Many people are receiving messages through SMS or on WhatsApp about paying their dues for electricity supply, failing which, the power will be cut by 10:30 PM.

The message reads as follows:

The message with the threat of scamming people also has the number of an officer from a power corporation or an app to be downloaded to request to make things right. This fraud becomes worse because people instinctively call the number and get lured into providing more details.

When called, the scammers will ask you to download an app from the Google Play Store, and once you download it, you are asked for a 12-digit code. This code gives your IP Address to the fraudster, with which they can gain complete access to your UPI accounts, other accounts and your mobile phone.

While informing about such fraud SMSs, the UPPCL has also asked people to complain about any such claims on the helpline number shared by the authorities. Other than this, the corporation has also released the numbers that were being used by the fraudsters. Here are some of them, for further vigilance.

• +91 99197 00251

• +91 94503 66033

• +91 94128 70456

• +91 82879 72013

• These messages do not mention the SMS header of UPPCL, instead, a revertable mobile number is mentioned in the header.

• UPPCL electricity bill payment notification consists of the official link of the bill payment portal.

• The consumer is identified with the unique code that is also called the holder account number.

• If the bill payment is due, the official notification also notifies the consumer about the due date.

Check for these above-mentioned pointers when receiving any electricity payment-related message.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd offers multiple ways to pay your electricity bill. Listed below are the safest ways that you can choose to pay your bill.

• Nearest UPPCL bill payment counter

• E-Suvidha counter

• Nearest Common Service Centre

• UPPCL bill payment portal

You can also pay your electricity bill via PhonePe or Gpay.