The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cautioned customers to beware of fraudsters posing as company officials and demanding mobile money payments for services such as meter installation, replacement, or debt cancellation.
The caution comes after several customers reported receiving calls from unknown numbers directing them to transfer money for ECG-related services.
Ing. George Amoah, General Manager of ECG in the Ashanti West Region, clarified that the company does not operate any mobile money account.
He urged customers to disregard such demands, stressing that all legitimate transactions must be carried out strictly through the ECG PowerApp or shortcode *226#, which allows secure, cashless payments without additional charges.
“These fraudsters contact customers on social media or by phone and demand money for meters or services. Some even impersonate ECG officials, including District Managers and accountants,” Ing. Amoah explained.
He disclosed recent incidents, including a customer defrauded of GH¢1,400 and an elderly man at Breman who lost GH¢2,000.
The scams have spread across Adum, Kokoben, Suame, Danyame, Abuakwa, and Ahinsan, with fraudsters using numbers such as 0531807230, 0508790801, 0543803302, and 0532752541.
To guide customers, Ing. Amoah outlined the official process for meter applications; wiring must be completed by a certified electrician, application forms are submitted at an ECG office with a GH¢100 registration fee, a quotation is issued via SMS with a unique code showing the amount due, lastly payments are made only through the ECG PowerApp or *226#.
However, he stressed that the replacement of faulty meters is free of charge, warning customers against paying anyone who claims otherwise.
Ing. Amoah added that meter availability has improved under the company’s Loss Reduction Project (LRP), which is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational losses.
He urged the public to help fight fraud by dealing only with official ECG offices and platforms, refusing to transfer money to private mobile money numbers, and reporting suspicious calls to ECG or the police.
“Every customer’s vigilance will help us stop these fraudsters and protect the public from further losses,” he said.
