The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has issued an urgent warning to residents about a sophisticated SMS scam targeting water consumers across the city. Fraudsters are sending threatening messages to unsuspecting customers, creating panic about imminent water disconnection.
How the Scam Operates
Consumers have reported receiving SMS messages from unknown mobile numbers that falsely claim their water connection will be disconnected if they fail to pay previous month's bill immediately. These fraudulent communications typically instruct recipients to contact another specific mobile number for further details or to resolve the supposed payment issue.
When customers call these numbers, the scammers take the deception to another level. They reportedly send malicious APK files through WhatsApp, disguising them as necessary software for processing payments or updating account information. These files can compromise smartphone security and potentially lead to financial theft or data breaches.
Official Response and Safety Measures
The water board has categorically stated that these messages are not being sent by HMWSSB and represent a coordinated fraud attempt. Authorities have emphasized that legitimate communications from the board follow established protocols and never involve sending APK files through messaging platforms.
HMWSSB has advised all consumers to exercise extreme caution and ignore such messages completely. The board specifically warns against contacting the numbers provided in these fraudulent SMS alerts and strongly cautions against downloading or installing any APK files received through WhatsApp or other platforms.
Legitimate Communication Channels
For any genuine service-related issues, bill clarifications, or complaints, consumers should only use official HMWSSB channels. The board has reaffirmed that the legitimate customer care number remains 155313, which residents can contact without hesitation for authentic water service matters.
This incident highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud targeting essential service consumers. Hyderabad residents are urged to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious communication directly through official channels before taking any action.
