A sudden spike in the number of cyber scam incidents has led to panic among electricity consumers in Delhi, India. Power distribution companies or discoms have warned consumers to be highly vigilant while paying their bills online.
Recently, a Delhi-based doctor has been scammed by a similar cyber fraud. He clicked on a malicious link to pay his electricity bill and lost a staggering INR 6 lakh.
How is the electricity cyber fraud happening in the capital of India?
Cybercriminals have started deploying different tactics to break into the bank accounts of consumers. They leverage the digitalization of bill payment facilities and send out fake emails and SMSes to consumers. The threat actors talk about overdue payments in these messages and create a sense of urgency by hinting toward imminent electricity disconnection.
These fake messages contain malicious links. If you click on the link, it will lead you to fake websites that look exactly like the original discom sites. You will be asked to fill in your sensitive data such as CVV number, bank details, OTPs, and so on.
How to steer clear of electricity bill scam- tips straight from the horse’s mouth!
Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind so that you don’t end up falling prey to electricity cyber frauds:
Image sourced from statista.com
- The spokesperson from BSES distribution companies (BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd.) emphasized the importance of making bill payments only through authorized payment gateways.
- They have urged consumers to avoid emails or messages asking for personal details.
- Also, it is advised that consumers must not click on any suspicious links or dial any unfamiliar numbers. Customers should also avoid downloading any unverified apps or APKs. Doing so can lead to easy hijacking of your personal information.
- Consumers should also pay attention to the URLs of the websites before proceeding to pay the bills. The website should start with “https://.” This ensures that your data will stay encrypted and safe.
- Experts also suggest using only personal devices and Wi-Fi to pay electricity bills. Using public computers and Wi-Fi always carries a risk of hackers prying into personal data.
- BSES has also been organizing awareness campaigns across Delhi. They try to reach out to more and more consumers through social media platforms and RWA meetings. Training at the grassroot level is also being provided to protect consumers against cyber frauds.
- For safe bill payments, consumers are requested to use the following numbers- +91 8745999808 or +91 8800919123 (WhatsApp). Else they can use BRPL Power App or BYPL Connect. Lastly, the QR code printed on the bill can also be used to make the payment.
The development in the technological landscape has undoubtedly made lives convenient. However, it has also significantly increased the chances of online fraud and scams. The only solution is to stay vigilant and trust your gut feeling. Implementing phishing protection measures is crucial. If anything feels suspicious, then chances are that it is actually wrong.