Electricity Bill Disconnection Scam

A message says your electricity will be cut tonight for an unpaid bill, and tells you to pay through a number, link or app to avoid it.

A text arrives saying that your power connection will be disconnected at 9.30 pm because last month's bill was not updated. It gives a number to call or a link to update. People with busy schedules or elderly relatives at home panic, because power cuts are a real worry. The company's real notices come through your bill and your registered channels, not through a private mobile number.

How the scam works

The scammer sends the same message to thousands of numbers, using the name of a local electricity board or a common power company. It includes a time that is only a few hours away and a request to contact an officer. The message looks short and official, with a customer ID that is just a few random digits.

When you call, an 'officer' says your last payment failed and your connection will be cut. They ask you to pay a small amount, such as Rs 10, through a link or to install an app to update the bill. The link may collect your card details, and the app can give them access to your phone screen and OTP messages.

The small payment is a hook. Once your card or bank login is on their page, or the app is installed, larger amounts are taken from your account. The scammer relies on your fear of losing power for the night, so you act in a hurry and do not stop to check your actual bill and last payment date.

An example of what you may see

Example only: 'Dear consumer, your electricity connection will be disconnected tonight at 9.30 pm because your previous month bill was not updated. Please contact our electricity officer immediately on the number below. To avoid disconnection, update your bill using the app link given. Thank you.' Real notices do not come from private mobile numbers. The message has no consumer name, no bill amount and no address, only a private number and a deadline that is only hours away. A real electricity company would use your registered contact details and a notice period. Please do not call that number.

This example is written for illustration. Real messages change their wording, names and links all the time.

Red flags

• The message gives a disconnection time within hours.
• A private mobile number is given for an 'officer'.
• You are told to install an app or tap a link to update the bill.
• A small payment is requested to 'activate' the update.
• No bill number, name or address of yours is mentioned.
• The tone is urgent and warns of a penalty.

What to do right now

1. Do not call the number or tap the link in the message.
2. Look at your last paid bill and payment history in the official app or website you type yourself.
3. Call the electricity board using the number on your bill if you need help.
4. Do not install any app because of a message.
5. Report the number on the Sanchar Saathi portal.

If you already paid or shared a code

1. Call 1930 at once and give the amount and time of the payment.
2. Tell your bank using the number on your card or passbook.
3. Remove any app installed on the caller's advice and change banking passwords.
4. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the message and screenshots.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930. Report online at cybercrime.gov.in. Do it fast: the sooner your bank is told, the better the chance that money can be held.

Where this scam shows up

Read how it looks on each channel:

How Safeavio helps

Safeavio's scam check can review the message you paste and show why it looks like urgency and fake authority, and the link check looks at the link before you open it. If an app was installed, the phone scan can point out apps outside a store. It cannot tell whether your bill is paid, so check your last bill or the official app.

• Scam checks
• Phishing checks

Questions people ask

Other scams in this group

Also known as: power cut tonight message, electricity bill unpaid SMS, bill update disconnection fraud. More payment and upi fraud