Electricity Bill Payment Fraud – Beware of Fake Electricity Bill Scam

Electricity bill payment fraud uses fake SMS messages warning that your power supply will be disconnected unless you pay an outstanding amount immediately. When victims call the number provided or download a suggested app, fraudsters gain access to their UPI accounts and bank credentials, resulting in direct financial theft.

How Does the Electricity Bill Payment Fraud Work?

Step 1: The Fake Disconnection Message

Victims receive an SMS or WhatsApp message claiming to be from their electricity department (e.g., MSEDCL, BESCOM, Adani Electricity, or other state DISCOMs). The message warns that electricity will be disconnected tonight due to an unpaid bill and instructs the victim to call a number immediately.

Step 2: The Impersonation Call

When the victim calls, a fraudster poses as an electricity department official and confirms that a bill is overdue. They create urgency by claiming the disconnection will happen within hours unless a small amount is paid now to process the payment.

Step 3: Remote Access Software Installation

The scammer instructs the victim to download a remote access app — such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or a malicious QR scanner — to “verify” their payment. Once installed, the fraudster gains full control of the victim’s screen, including their banking apps and UPI interfaces.

Step 4: Credential Theft and Fund Transfer

Using screen access, the attacker captures the victim’s UPI ID, bank account details, and OTPs as they appear on screen, then transfers money directly from the victim’s account. In documented cases, victims have lost lakhs of rupees in a single incident.

What Are the Warning Signs?

• An SMS or WhatsApp message about an unpaid electricity bill from an unknown sender number
• The message demands immediate payment and threatens disconnection
• You are given a phone number to call that is not the official number printed on your electricity bill
• The caller asks you to download any app for payment or verification
• A QR code is sent to you for a “nominal payment” or “registration fee”
• The caller asks for your UPI PIN, bank OTP, or asks you to approve a payment request

How to Protect Yourself from Electricity Bill Payment Fraud?

• Verify directly with your DISCOM — If you receive a disconnection warning, call your electricity provider using the number printed on your actual electricity bill, not a number provided in the message.
• Never download apps on a stranger’s instruction — No electricity department requires you to download remote access software for billing purposes.
• Never share your UPI PIN or approve payment requests — Receiving money does not require approving a request. If you are asked to approve a UPI request to “receive” a refund, you are actually authorising a debit.
• Do not scan QR codes from strangers — QR codes are for sending money, not receiving it. See QR code fraud for more on this.
• Check your actual bill status — Log into your electricity provider’s official app or website to verify whether any amount is due.
• Report the message to TRAI — Forward fraud SMS messages to 1909 (TRAI spam reporting number) or report through the Sanchar Saathi portal.

How to Report Electricity Bill Payment Fraud in India?

• Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 immediately if any money was transferred.
• File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with the fraudster’s number, screenshots of the message, and any payment records.
• Contact your bank immediately to freeze the account or initiate a chargeback.

For professional cybercrime investigation support, contact cyber expert Anuraag Singh.