Electricity bill frauds are one of the most reported online crimes in Kolkata and police fear the numbers could rise during summer when a simple text message saying supply will be disconnected if the bill is not paid will be enough to trigger panic.
“People are most vulnerable to falling prey to this online fraud in summer months, when it is extremely uncomfortable to stay without power at home. People at times panic and do what they are asked to, thinking that would help them retain power connection,” said a police officer.
Police officers and officials of the power utilities urged consumers to be alert about fraudulent messages.
The Telegraph took down from them a list of signs that citizens should look out for if they receive a message that says power supply will be snapped the same night if the pending bill is not paid immediately.
Language: Police said most of the messages sent by fraudsters are written in incorrect language. “For example, a resident of Kasba received a message on Monday: ‘Dear, Cu$tomer Your EIectricity Power. will be Di$connecte’d at To night 10:3pm. Your Last biII .was not update’d. Call EIectricity. office 790xxxx991 immediatel’y,” an officer in Lalbazar’s cyber cell said.
“Messages aimed at duping people are usually full of such language errors,” the officer said.
Helpline number: The numbers that are mentioned in such text messages are not the official helpline numbers of the service providers. “In most cases, it is found that the numbers mentioned in the text messages are issued against fake documents, making it difficult for the cops to track down the fraudsters,” said the officer.
Deadline: None of the electricity providers gives a short notice — of a few hours — before disconnecting the service. In the CESC area, if a consumer fails to pay the bill by the deadline, a green coloured bill is generated.
“A normal bill is blue in colour. But if someone fails to pay by the deadline, a green-coloured bill, also called ‘notice bill’, is generated. A new due date is mentioned in the green bill. Failure to clear the outstanding bill within 10 days of the due date mentioned in the green bill may attract disconnection of service,” said an official of CESC.
In areas served by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), a notice bill mentioning a 15-day window is sent if a consumer fails to make the payment by the due date. “If someone misses the new deadline, the electricity connection could be disconnected,” said a WBSEDCL official.
A police officer said: “Any message that says power supply will be disconnected the same night is bound to be a hoax.”
Be on guard
What to do if you get a message saying power supply will be snapped the same night for unpaid bills
■ Do not call the number mentioned in the text message
■ Do not respond to such text messages
■ Check your outstanding dues from the website of the service provider
