Electricity Bill Scam SMS — Fake Power Disconnection Warning
Scammers send fake SMS and WhatsApp messages threatening to disconnect your electricity unless you pay immediately. Thousands of Indians fall for this every month. Here is how to spot it and stay safe.
How This Scam Works
The electricity bill scam follows a predictable pattern designed to exploit fear of losing power — a basic necessity.
You receive an SMS or WhatsApp message claiming your electricity bill is overdue and your connection will be cut off within hours.
The message threatens immediate disconnection — today, tonight, or within 2 hours — to create panic.
It provides a phone number to call urgently or a link to click for "immediate payment" or to "download the updated app."
If you call the number, the scammer poses as an electricity department officer and demands payment via UPI, asks for your OTP, or instructs you to install remote access software.
If you click the link, it leads to a phishing website that looks like your DISCOM's portal and collects your bank login credentials, UPI PIN, or card details.
Real Examples of Electricity Bill Scam Messages
These are actual scam messages reported by users. Phone numbers and links have been altered for safety.
“Dear Consumer, Your electricity bill of Rs 8,450 is overdue. Power will be disconnected today at 9:30 PM. Pay immediately: 9876543210”
Analysis: Classic pattern: inflated amount + same-day disconnection threat + personal phone number.
“NOTICE: Your electricity connection ID 30456789 will be disconnected within 2 hours due to pending payment. Contact: 8765432109”
Analysis: Uses a fake connection ID to appear official. Real notices come with your actual consumer number and full name.
“Your electricity meter application has been approved. Download the updated app: http://bijli-app.co.in”
Analysis: Phishing link disguised as a utility app. The real app is only available on official app stores.
“URGENT: Your electricity supply will be disconnected due to bill update. Please contact our electricity officer at 7654321098 to avoid disconnection.”
Analysis: Vague reason ("bill update"), no consumer details, and a personal mobile number for an "electricity officer."
Red Flags to Watch For
If a message about your electricity bill has any of these signs, it is almost certainly a scam.
Immediate disconnection threat
Real DISCOMs provide 15-30 day notice periods before disconnection, not 2-hour ultimatums.
Random phone number to call
Legitimate utilities direct you to their official helpline or website, never a personal mobile number.
Suspicious payment links
Official bills are paid through the DISCOM website, app, or authorized partners — never through links in SMS.
Generic or incorrect consumer details
The message does not mention your name, correct consumer number, or subdivision — because the scammer does not have them.
Urgency and fear language
Phrases like "today itself", "within 2 hours", "immediately" are designed to short-circuit your critical thinking.
Request for UPI payment or OTP
No electricity company collects payments via personal UPI IDs or asks for your bank OTP over the phone.
How to Verify Your Real Electricity Bill
Before reacting to any bill-related message, verify through official channels. Here is exactly how.
Check your physical bill
Your latest electricity bill has your consumer number, billing cycle, due date, and the exact amount owed. Compare the SMS claims against this.
Log in to the official DISCOM portal
Go directly to your DISCOM website (e.g., bfresco.in for BSES, msedcl.in for Maharashtra). Type the URL yourself — never click links from messages.
Use the official mobile app
Download your DISCOM's app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Search by name (e.g., "BSES" or "MSEDCL"). Check your real outstanding balance there.
Call the official helpline
Every DISCOM has a published helpline number (e.g., 19912 for BSES Delhi, 1912 for MSEDCL Maharashtra). Call them directly to confirm any pending dues.
What to Do If You Receive This Scam
Follow these steps to protect yourself and help others.
Do not call the number
Any number in a scam SMS connects you directly to the scammer. Do not engage.
Do not click any links
Links in scam messages lead to phishing sites designed to steal your bank login or UPI credentials.
Verify independently
Check your real bill on the official DISCOM website or app. If your bill is paid, the SMS is a scam.
Report the message
Forward the SMS to 1909. File a report on cybercrime.gov.in. Alert your DISCOM's helpline so they can warn others.
Warn your family
Elderly family members and those less familiar with digital payments are the primary targets. Share this information with them.
Already Paid the Scammer?
Call your bank immediately and request a transaction reversal. Report the fraud on cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline). File an FIR at your nearest police station. Time is critical — act within the first hour for the best chance of recovering your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can electricity companies disconnect power via SMS?
No. Electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) in India follow a formal process before disconnection. They issue multiple written notices, provide a grace period for payment, and send a physical disconnection order. A single SMS threatening immediate disconnection within hours is not how any legitimate utility operates. Official reminders may arrive via SMS, but they will reference your correct consumer number, never include random phone numbers, and will direct you to the official website or app for payment.
How can I check my real electricity bill online?
Visit the official website of your local DISCOM directly. For example, BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna for Delhi, MSEDCL for Maharashtra, TANGEDCO for Tamil Nadu, WBSEDCL for West Bengal, or UPPCL for Uttar Pradesh. You can also download the official mobile app of your DISCOM from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Enter your consumer number (printed on your physical bill) to view your actual outstanding balance. Never use links from SMS or WhatsApp messages to check your bill.
What happens if I call the number in a scam SMS?
The scammer will answer the call posing as an electricity department official. They will create urgency by claiming your power will be cut off any moment. Then they will ask you to make an immediate payment via UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), share your bank OTP, install a remote access app like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, or provide your net banking credentials. Once you share any of this information, they can drain your bank account within minutes.
How can I report a fake electricity bill SMS?
Report the scam through multiple channels. First, forward the SMS to 1909 (the TRAI DND complaint number). Second, file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. Third, report it to your local DISCOM's official helpline — they track these scam campaigns. Fourth, if you have already lost money, file an FIR at your nearest police station and contact your bank immediately to freeze the transaction.
Why do electricity bill scams spike during summer months in India?
Summer months (April to July) see higher electricity consumption due to air conditioning and coolers, which means genuinely higher bills. Scammers exploit this by sending fake messages with inflated amounts that feel plausible to the victim. People are already anxious about high summer bills, making them more likely to panic and act without verifying. Scammers also know that power cuts are more common in summer, lending credibility to disconnection threats.
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