Caution - Cyber Fraud - BRPL
Complete Do's and Don'ts for Staying Safe from Fraudulent Communication Claiming to be from BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL)
Do's:
1. Always verify the source of communication-
If you receive an SMS/ WhatsApp or email claiming your electricity bill is overdue and threatening disconnection, do not respond immediately. Instead, verify the message by contacting BRPL’s official customer helpline number 19123 or by visiting the official website: www.bsesdelhi.com.
- Why: Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate sources to create panic and manipulate customers into making hasty payments.
2. Use official payment platforms-
If the SMS/ WhatsApp asks you to pay using an external link, do not click the link. Instead, make payments via the official BRPL website or BRPL Power App. Always ensure that the payment link begins with www.bsesdelhi.com.
- Why: Fraudulent links often lead to fake websites that steal your payment details or install malware on your phone.
3. Contact BRPL customer care directly-
If you receive an urgent message or phone call claiming your electricity supply will be disconnected soon, call BRPL directly at customer helpline number 19123 to verify the same. Do not call any number provided in the suspicious message.
- Why: Fraudsters often give you a number to call or ask you to pay money into a private bank account. Always ensure you’re contacting official BRPL’s helpline number or Division office.
4. Look for verified WhatsApp communication-
If BRPL sends a WhatsApp message, check that the number is +91-8800919123 and has a blue verification tick.
- Why: Fraudulent WhatsApp accounts often impersonate official numbers but do not have the blue tick, indicating they are not verified.
5. Be cautious of unsolicited messages-
If you receive a message like - "Your bill is pending, click here to avoid disconnection, do not click on the link. Contact BRPL directly on 19123 to verify if there are any outstanding dues.
- Why: Scammers use urgent language to trick you into acting quickly and provide sensitive details.
6. Ensure the sender’s ID and website are authentic-
If you receive an SMS, the sender should have an official ID like BSESRP or BSESRD. Do not respond to messages from 10-digit personal numbers.
- Why: BRPL never uses personal mobile numbers for communication. Official messages will always come from these specific IDs.
7. Safeguard your personal and financial information-
If you’re asked to share your OTP, bank account details, or UPI PIN during a call, refuse to provide any such information.
- Why: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive information over the phone or via SMS/ WhatsApp.
8. Report fraudulent communications immediately-
If you think you've received a fraudulent message or email, report it immediately to verify the same on BRPL’s customer helpline number 19123 and raise a complaint to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
- Why: Reporting helps prevent further fraud and assists authorities in tracing and nabbing the scammers.
9. Verify official emails for authenticity-
If you receive an email that seems suspicious but claims to be from BRPL, ensure the sender’s email address is correct, i.e, brpl.customercare@bsesdelhi.com. Do not respond to emails with slight variations like “brplcustomer@bsesdelhi.com”.
- Why: Scammers often create fake email addresses by altering the official one slightly, making it hard to recognize.
10. Verify your payment status directly-
If you get an email or message stating that your payment has not been updated, call BRPL helpline number 19123 to confirm your payment status before taking any further action.
- Why: Scammers often send fake notifications about unpaid bills to get you to make unnecessary payments.
Don’ts:
1. Do not download suspicious Apps or Files-
If you receive a message asking you to download an APK file or install an app for bill payment, do not download it. Instead, make payments through official channels like the BRPL website or app/authorized third party apps which are downloaded only from Play Store for Andriod and App Store for IOS.
- Why: Downloading unauthorized apps could lead to malware installation or phishing attempts.
2. Do not click on unverified links-
If you receive a message with a link like, “Click here to pay your bill now,” do not click on it. Instead, type the official website addresswww.bsesdelhi.com into your browser directly.
- Why: Fraudulent links lead to phishing websites designed to steal your payment details like bank account number, CVV etc.
3. Do not respond to calls or messages from unrecognized numbers-
If you receive a call or message from an unknown 10 digit number, claiming to be from BRPL, do not engage. Only trust communication from official sources like BRPL’s verified helpline number.
- Why: Scammers use unrecognized numbers to impersonate BRPL officials or other utility services providers and trick customers.
4. Do not share personal information-
If someone asks for your Aadhaar number, bank details, or UPI PIN during an unsolicited call or message, do not provide it. Always verify the legitimacy of the request.
- Why: Scammers often use this information for identity theft, fraudulent activities or unauthorized access to your accounts.
5. Do not share your screen-
If someone asks you to share your phone or computer screen during a phone call or message for troubleshooting, refuse to do so.
- Why: This is a common scam/ tactic where fraudsters try to gain remote access to your device to steal your personal information.
6. Do not make payments under pressure-
If you receive an SMS like, "Pay your bill now to avoid disconnection at 9:30 PM tonight," do not panic and do not make the payment immediately. Verify the information through BRPL’s official channels.
- Why: Scammers use threats of disconnection or urgent situations to create panic and rush you into making payments.
7. Do not make payments to personal bank accounts-
If a message asks you to send payment to a personal bank account or pay through a third-party individual, do not proceed. Only make payments using official channels like the BRPL website or the BRPL Power App.
- Why: Payments made to personal accounts or unauthorized parties cannot be traced and you risk losing your money.
8. Do not trust messages threatening immediate disconnection-
If you receive a message stating your power will be cut off within hours unless you pay immediately, do not panic. BRPL never specifies an exact time for disconnection and will never demand immediate payments.
- Why: This is a common scam/ tactic designed to scare you into making hasty payments.
9. Do not trust fake Maximum Demand Indicator (MDI) letters or fake notifications-
If you receive an MDI letter or an email claiming your meter needs to be updated or removed and it asks you to click on a suspicious link, do not click.
- Why: Fraudsters send fake notices to gain access to your personal information or payment details.
10. Do not respond to fake claims about bill status-
If you receive a message claiming your payment has not been updated in BRPL’s system and urging you to make an immediate payment, do not respond. Instead, call BRPL directly at our customer care helpline number 19123 to verify the payment status.
- Why: Scammers often make false claims to create confusion and prompt unnecessary payments.
Final Reminder: Stay Informed and Stay Safe!
By following these detailed Do's and Don'ts, you can protect yourself from fraudulent communications and ensure that your personal and financial information remains secure. Always verify any communication that seems suspicious and report any fraud attempts to the appropriate authorities immediately.
BRPL’s Official Digital Contact Details –
- Website - www.bsesdelhi.com
- Mobile App - BRPL Power App
- Customer Care Helpline/ Call Center Number (incoming to BRPL) – 19123
- Customer Care Helpline/ Call Center Number (outgoing by BRPL) - 011-39999707 /01149516111
- WhatsApp Number - 8800919123
- Customer Care Email ID (for query/ complaint/ service) - brpl.customercare@relianceada.com
- Short Codes for SMS - BSESRP or BSESRD
- Customer Care Email ID (for information related campaigns) - brpl.customercare@bsesdelhi.com