Electricity scams have become very common across India. Many people are getting fake calls and messages telling them to pay their bill immediately or their power will be disconnected. These messages may look real, and scammers often use fear to make people act fast. They might even use fake names or show fake IDs pretending to be from the electricity department.

This article is for everyone who uses electricity — which means, all of us. You will learn how these scams work, how to stay safe, and how to report such messages or calls using Portal Chakshu.

What Do These Scams Look Like?

Let’s start with how these scams usually happen.

You might get a message that says something like:

“Dear consumer, your electricity will be cut off tonight. Please call this number.”
“Your last payment has failed. Pay now to avoid disconnection.”
“Update your KYC now to continue electricity services.”

Some messages include your name, address, or a fake bill number to make it look official. These are not from your electricity company. They are fake.

If you call the number, the scammer will talk very confidently. They may ask you to install an app on your phone or ask for payment through a link. This is how people end up losing money.

A Real-Life Example

In Delhi, a 72-year-old man received a message that his electricity would be cut off the same night. Worried, he called the number in the message. The person on the other side told him to install a remote access app. Within minutes, the scammer accessed his bank app and transferred over ₹6 lakh.

This is just one case. Many similar cases have been reported in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

How to Know if It’s a Scam?

Here are a few simple signs that a call or message about electricity is fake:

They create panic – saying your power will be cut within hours.
They send links or ask you to install apps – especially apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
They ask for personal details – like your Aadhaar number, bank account, or OTP.
They don’t use company numbers – calls or SMS come from regular mobile numbers, not official lines.
They avoid giving real answers – when you ask questions, they hurry you to pay or install something.

If you spot any of these signs, don’t reply, don’t click, and don’t call back. Go straight to Portal Chakshu and report it.

How to Report a Scam on Portal Chakshu?

Reporting a scam helps you and also protects others. Portal Chakshu is a government-supported website that allows users to report fake or suspicious messages and calls.

Here’s how to report:

Go to Portal Chakshu
Click on “Report Suspicious Communication”
Select whether it was a Call, SMS, or WhatsApp message
Enter the number and details of the message or call
Upload a screenshot (if you have one)
Enter your mobile number and verify with an OTP
Submit the report

It takes only a few minutes, and every report helps stop these scams from spreading.

How to Pay Your Bill Safely?

Always use the official methods to pay your electricity bill:

Use your electricity provider’s official website or mobile app
Visit your nearest authorised office or bill payment center
Use trusted apps like Bharat BillPay, Paytm, PhonePe, or Google Pay – only after verifying the service name

Do not click on links received in messages unless you’re sure they are from the official company.

What Electricity Companies Are Doing?

Electricity boards in cities like Delhi and Mumbai are warning people about such scams. They have issued notices saying:

They never send WhatsApp messages asking for payment
They never threaten to disconnect power suddenly
They never ask people to install apps for bill payment

They also say that any communication will only come from official numbers, and if you have doubts, you should contact customer care directly.

Tips to Stay Safe from Electricity Scams

Here are some simple things you can do:

Save the official number of your electricity provider
Check your bill regularly from the official website or app
Ignore fake messages and never click unknown links
Never share your OTP or PIN with anyone, even if they claim to be from a company
Report quickly on Portal Chakshu so action can be taken

Final Thoughts

Electricity scams are growing fast because they target fear. But you don’t need to panic. Now that you know how they work, you can stop them in their tracks.

Just remember — your electricity company will not threaten you on WhatsApp or ask for your bank details over the phone. If something feels off, trust your gut and report it through Portal Chakshu.

Stay alert. Keep your money and details safe. And always use trusted sources when paying your electricity bill. Taking a few minutes to report a scam might just save someone else from falling into the same trap.

Electricity Connection Scams: Know the Tricks and Stay Safe