Tata Power DDL warns consumers against rising cyber frauds linked to fake billing messages

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, a joint venture between Tata Power and Government of NCT of Delhi, has cautioned electricity consumers about the surge in cyber fraud attempts involving fake billing messages and fraudulent power disconnection threats, as services increasingly move to digital platforms.

The discom said phishing attempts through fake SMS and emails claiming unpaid bills or connection issues remained among the most common tactics. Fraudsters often lure users into clicking malicious links or sharing one-time passwords (OTPs). With the expansion of digital billing and smart systems, newer threats such as digital arrest scams, spoofed applications and attempts to exploit smart meter ecosystems are also emerging.

According to the company, fraudsters frequently exploit periods of consumer anxiety. During peak billing cycles, deceptive “immediate payment” messages are circulated, while during power outages, callers posing as technicians may demand service fees or push consumers to download fraudulent apps. Urgent disconnection warnings threatening termination of supply within hours are used to pressure consumers into making hasty payments outside official channels.

To counter these risks, Tata Power-DDL said its IT and cybersecurity teams were deploying real-time monitoring, AI-driven anomaly detection, proactive domain blocking, and working in coordination with government agencies. The company also conducts regular cybersecurity drills and awareness campaigns.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said phishing through fake billing alerts, urgent disconnection messages and spoofed apps was increasingly targeting electricity users. “Our cybersecurity teams deploy real-time monitoring, AI-based anomaly detection, proactive domain blocking and conduct regular drills and awareness initiatives. At the same time, consumer cyber hygiene plays a decisive role in preventing fraud,” the spokesperson said.

The discom advised consumers to make payments only through official apps and websites, avoid clicking on unknown links and never share OTPs or banking details with unverified callers. It also recommended enabling two-factor authentication, checking for secure URLs beginning with “https://”, and avoiding online banking on public computers. Suspected cyber frauds can be reported through the national helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.