Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has cautioned residents against fraudsters who are allegedly contacting people through phone calls and WhatsApp messages, posing as MCC officials and claiming that water bills are pending.
The warning was issued by the Executive Engineer of Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW), which operates under the MCC, following complaints from residents about attempts to collect money through unauthorised payment methods.
Fraudsters using MCC name to demand payments
According to the MCC, residents have reported receiving calls and WhatsApp messages from unknown or new numbers regarding alleged outstanding water bills.
The callers or senders are reportedly pressuring residents to clear the purported dues by transferring money to personal UPI numbers or by clicking on payment links shared through messages.
The VVWW Executive Engineer clarified that neither the MCC nor VVWW uses personal UPI IDs, numbers or payment links to collect water bills.
The civic body has therefore urged residents to exercise caution when receiving messages or calls claiming to be from the corporation.
MCC advises residents not to click on suspicious links
The MCC has specifically advised people not to trust calls or messages from anonymous or unfamiliar numbers regarding pending water bills.
Residents have also been warned against clicking on links received from such numbers, as such links could potentially be used to facilitate financial fraud or obtain sensitive information.
The civic body has urged residents to independently verify any claim regarding outstanding water bills rather than responding to unsolicited calls or messages.
Do not share banking details or OTPs
The VVWW Executive Engineer has advised residents not to disclose sensitive financial information to strangers.
People have been asked not to share their OTP, UPI PIN, ATM PIN, bank account details, debit or credit card information or other personal details with unknown callers or message senders.
The MCC has also cautioned residents against transferring money to any personal UPI ID or mobile number on the basis of a phone call or WhatsApp message.
Residents who receive such requests should verify their actual bill status through authorised MCC channels before making any payment.
Verify bills only through authorised channels
The civic body has advised residents to confirm their water bill details and any outstanding amount at MCC-authorised bill collection counters.
Residents should rely on official channels for information about their bills rather than payment instructions received from unknown numbers.
The warning comes amid increasing instances of fraudsters impersonating government officials or representatives of civic bodies to persuade people into making unauthorised payments.
The MCC has urged citizens to remain vigilant and to avoid making hurried payments in response to threats or pressure over alleged pending bills.
Residents who receive suspicious calls or messages should not engage with the sender or provide financial information. Instead, they should verify the matter directly with the authorised civic body before taking any action.