Special Correspondent
Pimpri Chinchwad: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued a warning to citizens about fake SMS messages being circulated in the city. These fraudulent messages claim that water supply will be cut off due to unpaid bills. The PCMC has urged residents to ignore these messages and report any suspicious numbers to the cyber police.
Currently, the PCMC water supply department is disconnecting water connections for properties with outstanding bills. The civic body has been sending reminders through SMS and other communication channels urging citizens to clear their dues.
The fake SMS messages include a warning that water supply will be cut off due to unpaid bills, followed by a prompt to call a given number. In some cases, the SMS includes a link to download an APK file via WhatsApp. By downloading the file, fraudsters can access sensitive information such as bank account details and passwords, leading to potential financial fraud.
In light of this, the PCMC has advised citizens to refrain from downloading any APK files from these fraudulent messages and to avoid engaging with the numbers provided. Complaints about fake SMS messages can be filed at the nearest police station, cyber police station, or by calling the toll-free number 1903.
Shekhar Singh, Commissioner and Administrator of PCMC, emphasized, “We are receiving complaints from citizens about fake SMS messages being sent in the name of the water supply department. Citizens should disregard these fraudulent messages and report them to the cyber police. The municipal corporation will cooperate with the authorities in investigating and taking action against those responsible for sending these deceptive messages.”
