The Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG, has issued a warning to its customers about scammers selling fake meters and demanding payments through personal mobile money accounts. These scammers are posing as ECG staff or agents and using various communication channels, including phone calls, WhatsApp, and social media platforms like TikTok, to defraud unsuspecting customers.
According to Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, General Manager for External Communications at ECG, the company operates a fully cashless payment system. This means all payments must be made through the ECG Power App or the shortcode *226#. Dr. Ayiku emphasized that money sent to a personal MoMo number does not reach the company and will not reflect on the customer's account.
One of the schemes involves fraudsters offering to provide new meters for a fee, promising quick installation. Customers who make payments are often left stranded, while some are given unregistered meters, which ECG considers an illegal connection. The company does not sell meters through individuals and advises customers to apply for a new meter or service through official channels, including district offices and the ECG Power App.
Another scheme involves callers claiming that a customer's meter is ready and asking them to make immediate payments to a personal MoMo number. Dr. Ayiku warned that ECG staff do not ask customers to pay into personal mobile money wallets and urged customers to treat any such call as a fraud attempt.
Dr. Ayiku advised customers not to be pressured by callers demanding immediate payment and stressed the need to verify all requests through official ECG channels. He also advised customers not to purchase meters from individuals or online contacts and to make all electricity payments only through the ECG Power App or *226#.
Customers have also been urged to protect their MoMo PINs, passwords, and verification codes, and to demand identification from anyone claiming to be an ECG official. By taking these precautions, customers can help prevent themselves from falling victim to these scams.
The ECG is working to educate its customers about these scams and prevent them from losing money to fraudsters. The company is encouraging customers to report any suspicious activity to their district offices or through the ECG Power App.
Key points
- The ECG operates a fully cashless payment system, and customers should only make payments through the ECG Power App or *226#.
- Fraudsters are using various communication channels, including phone calls, WhatsApp, and social media platforms, to defraud unsuspecting customers.
- Customers should verify all requests through official ECG channels and demand identification from anyone claiming to be an ECG official.
