New Delhi: Delhi’s power distribution companies have intensified efforts to educate consumers and protect them from cyber fraud involving fake electricity bill notices. Through a multi-pronged awareness campaign, the discoms are issuing regular SMS alerts, social media advisories and official WhatsApp messages to flag common scam tactics and promote safe payment practices. They have also deployed artificial intelligence (AI)-based anomaly detection tools to counter fraudsters. An official from Tata Power-DDL, which supplies electricity in north and north-west Delhi, said: “The company uses real-time monitoring systems and AI-based anomaly detection tools to flag suspicious domains and phishing attempts. We also proactively block malicious websites and coordinate with cybersecurity partners and govt agencies.” The official further said regular drills are conducted to test incident response plans. BSES, which caters to south, west, east and central Delhi, has intensified outreach through website advisories, SMS alerts, social media campaigns, WhatsApp messages and notices at customer care centres. “We are coordinating with cybercrime cells and telecom operators to block fraudulent numbers and links. The focus is on building a secure, fraud-resilient digital ecosystem through advanced analytics, secure payment gateways and continuous consumer engagement,” an official said. Officials warn that scammers exploit urgency to mislead consumers. People often receive SMS, WhatsApp, email or calls claiming their electricity will be cut “immediately” for “pending dues”, often featuring fake logos, technical language and bogus complaint numbers.Fraudsters then demand instant payment via a link or a phone call. Links lead to counterfeit sites that steal banking details, while calls connect to fraudsters posing as discom officials who pressure users for OTPs, UPI PINs, CVV numbers or Aadhaar information.Officials have urged people to report such cases immediately on the national cybercrime portal.
