The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has warned customers against fraudsters posing as its staff and agents to sell fake meters or demand payments through personal mobile money accounts.
The scammers are reportedly targeting customers through phone calls, WhatsApp, TikTok and other social media platforms, with some promising quick meter installation in exchange for payment.
ECG’s General Manager for External Communications, Dr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, said customers should make all payments through the company’s approved channels and never transfer money to personal MoMo numbers.
“ECG runs a fully cashless system. All payments must go through the ECG Power App or the shortcode *226#. Money sent to a personal MoMo number does not reach the company and will not reflect on your account.”
He said one of the schemes involves individuals posing as ECG staff or agents and offering to provide or install new meters for a fee. In some cases, customers are given unregistered meters, which ECG treats as an illegal connection.
“ECG does not sell meters through individuals. Apply for a new meter or service through our official channels, including our district offices and the ECG Power App.”
Another scheme involves callers claiming that a customer’s meter is ready and then directing the customer to pay into a personal MoMo account.
Dr Ayiku said ECG staff do not request payments through personal mobile money wallets and urged customers to treat such calls as potential fraud.
He advised customers to verify payment requests before acting, avoid buying meters through individuals or online adverts, and keep their PINs, passwords and verification codes private.
Customers who receive suspicious calls or encounter people claiming to be ECG staff should report them to ECG and the police.
“Pay only through the ECG Power App or *226#. Treat all other payment requests as fraud and report them.”