The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has urged customers not to send money to private mobile money accounts after fraudsters targeted the public with fake meter sales and calls demanding immediate payments.
The warning was issued by ECG General Manager for External Communications, Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, who said the company operates a completely cashless payment system.
“ECG runs a fully cashless system,” Dr Ayiku said. “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 identified two main methods being used by the fraudsters.
In the first, individuals pretend to be ECG employees or authorised agents and offer to supply or install new meters in return for payment. Some promise customers an expedited installation, while others use WhatsApp and social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to advertise their services.
After receiving the money, the alleged agent may disappear. In some cases, customers are given an unregistered meter, which ECG regards as an illegal connection.
“ECG does not sell meters through individuals,” Dr Ayiku said. “Apply for a new meter or service through our official channels, including our district offices and the ECG Power App. Pay the approved fees through the ECG Power App.”
The second scam begins with a telephone call from someone claiming to work for ECG. The caller tells the customer that a meter is ready and then provides a mobile money number, insisting that payment be made immediately.
“Our staff do not ask customers to pay into personal mobile money wallets,” Dr Ayiku said. “Treat any such call as a fraud attempt.”
He said the criminals depended on creating a sense of urgency, hoping customers would transfer funds before checking whether the request was genuine. Customers were advised to pause and verify all payment demands.
ECG said people should never send money to a mobile money number supplied by a caller, even if that person claims to be an employee. Customers should also avoid buying meters from individuals, online adverts or WhatsApp contacts.
Electricity purchases and bill payments should be made only through the ECG Power App or 226#. Customers were also reminded not to disclose their PIN, password or any verification code.
Anyone visited at home or at a shop by someone claiming to represent ECG should ask to see an official staff identification card. Suspicious calls should be ended, with the number reported to ECG and the police.
“Pay only through the ECG Power App or 226#,” Dr Ayiku said. “Treat all other payment requests as fraud and report them.”
