Your electricity connection will be disconnected today: New Scam Alert Targeting Hyd Consumers

Hyderabad: There’s a new scam going on where fraudsters are sending fake messages to electricity consumers, claiming their power supply will be disconnected after a certain hour due to an unpaid bill. The message urges them to call or WhatsApp a number to make an immediate payment. Once the consumer calls, the scammers attempt to collect banking details and withdraw money illegally.

A typical message reads:

“Dear sir, your power supply will be cut today after 7:30 PM due to last month’s bill not being updated. Call immediately on WhatsApp 8135967194.”

How the Scam Works

Once a consumer calls the number, they are told to share their debit or credit card details under the pretense of clearing pending payments. Some scammers even send fake payment links, tricking consumers into entering their banking credentials. Victims have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts after following the scammers’ instructions.

Case Study: Senior Citizen Almost Scammed

Sixty-eight-year-old Ratna Rao Srinivas, a retired government employee from Secunderabad, almost fell for the scam.

Speaking to Newsmeter he said “I received the message in the afternoon and got worried. I immediately called the number, and the person on the other end told me I needed to pay immediately or my power would be cut. They asked for my debit card details to process the payment. Thankfully, my son saw the message and stopped me in time,” he shared.

Similarly, 55-year-old homemaker Meena Shashikala from Hyderabad said, “I panicked when I got the message and was about to transfer money. But then I checked my bill on the TGSPDCL website and saw there were no pending dues.”

TGSPDCL Issues a Warning

The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has clarified that these messages are fraudulent.

Musharraf Faruqui, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of TGSPDCL, stated:

• TGSPDCL never sends messages from personal mobile numbers. Official messages always contain the department name, USC/service number, consumer name, and bill amount.

• “Our employees never ask for banking details. We do not send website links through SMS for bill payments.”

• Power supply is never disconnected overnight without prior notice.

TGSPDCL has advised consumers to check their bills only through the official website (www.tgsouthernpower.org) or the TGSPDCL mobile app.

Who Is Most at Risk?

People who may not be familiar with online scams, are particularly vulnerable. Scammers take advantage of their fear of losing electricity and pressure them into making quick payments.

What Consumers Should Do

1. Ignore and delete any suspicious messages.

2. Verify bills only through official TGSPDCL platforms.

3. Never share banking details over the phone or WhatsApp.

4. Report suspicious numbers to TGSPDCL or local authorities.

Consumers encountering such fraudulent messages are encouraged to report them to TGSPDCL customer service or cybercrime authorities.