Accra:Fraudsters are impersonating workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to collect payments for fake meters. Customers have been receiving unregistered meters, which could be classified as illegal connections.
According to Ghana Web, ECG has cautioned customers against paying individuals who claim to supply or install meters, especially when payment is requested through personal mobile money accounts.
Dr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, ECG's General Manager for External Communications, highlighted that these scams involve meter advertisements on platforms like WhatsApp and TikTok, as well as phone calls from people pretending to be ECG staff. Scammers instruct customers to send payments to private mobile money numbers, misleading them into thinking their meters are ready.
"Our staff does not ask customers to pay into personal mobile money wallets," Dr Ayiku stated, emphasizing that any such request should be considered fraudulent. He pointed out that payments made to these accounts do not reach ECG and will not appear in the customer's electricity account.
Dr Ayiku also warned that purchasing a meter from an individual does not ensure a legal electricity connection, as these meters may not be registered with ECG. He clarified, "ECG does not sell meters through individuals."
For legitimate services, customers are advised to contact ECG through its official channels such as district offices and the ECG Power App, and to make payments via authorized platforms.
He further advised customers to be wary of pressure tactics used by fraudsters to hasten payments, urging them to verify requests, safeguard their PINs and verification codes, and check the identification of anyone claiming to represent ECG. Suspicious calls should be terminated, and the numbers reported to ECG and the police.