BESCOM warns consumers against fraudulent messages regarding payment of bills

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has issued a clarification that it has not sent any texts to the consumers regarding the non-payment of dues. The clarification came in the wake of BESCOM consumers receiving fraudulent messages stating that their connection will be discontinued due to non-payment. The issue has been taken up with the cyber crime police.
BESCOM warns consumers against fraudulent messages regarding payment of bills

BESCOM warns consumers against fraudulent messages regarding payment of bills

Photo : iStock
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • BESCOM said that neither the bill collectors nor its sub-divisional office insisted on consumers regarding payment by sending text messages.
  • The consumers of BESCOM are receiving these messages often.
  • They end up being cheated as they make the online payment due to the fear of disconnection.
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) on Wednesday clarified that it has not sent any texts to the consumers regarding the non-payment of dues. The clarification came in the wake of BESCOM consumers receiving fraudulent messages stating that their connection will be discontinued due to non-payment. In the clarification, BESCOM said that not only it didn’t send any such messages but it never insists on payment of bills via text messages.
The issue has been taken up with the cyber crime police, said BESCOM in a statement. Consumers across Bengaluru received hundreds of text messages regarding the discontinuation of service, one such message was shared by the BESCOM as well. The message said that the electric power will be disconnected as the bill for the previous month was not updated. It further asked the consumer to contact on a number ending with 933 and pay the bill on that number and send a screenshot of the bill on WhatsApp, reported The Indian Express.
In its clarification, BESCOM further said that neither the bill collectors nor its sub-divisional office insisted on consumers regarding payment by sending text messages.
The consumers of BESCOM are receiving these messages often. They end up being cheated as they make the online payment due to the fear of disconnection. BESCOM officials said that consumers get a 30-day grace period for the payment once the bill is generated. BESCOM has taken cognizance of the issue and reported it to the cybercrime police.
BESCOM has put up a warning on it its Facebook page and Twitter account to alert consumers said the officials. Consumers have been asked to pay the bill through BESCOM counters only. The BESCOM counters include the BESCOM portal, BESCOM Mitra App, Bengaluru One, PhonePe, or Google Pay.
The consumers have been further asked to contact the BESCOM helpline (1912) or the concerned Assistant Executive Engineer if they receive any message regarding payment of bills.
End of Article