The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cautioned customers across the country against fraudsters posing as company officials and using fake meter sales, phone calls and mobile money payment requests to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The warning follows reports of individuals claiming to represent ECG and offering customers new meters or faster installation services in exchange for payments to personal mobile money accounts.
ECG’s General Manager for External Communications, Dr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, said the company operates a fully cashless payment system and does not require customers to send money to private mobile money numbers.
He said all legitimate payments to ECG must be made through the official ECG Power App or the company’s short code *226#.
Any money sent to a personal mobile money account does not reach ECG and will not be reflected on the customer’s account.
The company has identified two major forms of fraud currently targeting customers.
The first involves fake meter sales. According to Electricity Company Ghana, some individuals are presenting themselves as company staff or authorised agents and offering to provide new meters, sometimes promising customers faster installation.
Some of these offers are reportedly circulated through WhatsApp, TikTok and other social media platforms, while others are made through direct phone calls.
Customers who accept such offers may be asked to transfer money before receiving a meter. In some cases, the fraudsters allegedly disappear after receiving payment.
Others may provide meters that have not been registered or approved by ECG, potentially leaving customers with an illegal connection.
Dr Ayiku stressed that ECG does not sell meters through individuals or private agents.
Customers who require a new meter or electricity service have been advised to apply through ECG’s official channels, including its district offices and the ECG Power App. Approved payments should also be made through the authorised payment channels rather than to individuals.
The second scheme involves fraudulent phone calls.
In this case, a caller may claim to be an ECG employee and tell a customer that their meter is ready for installation. The caller then provides a mobile money number and demands immediate payment.
ECG said such requests should be treated as fraudulent because its staff do not ask customers to pay into personal mobile money wallets.
The company explained that scammers often rely on urgency to prevent potential victims from verifying the information. Customers may be told that they must pay immediately to secure a meter or avoid losing an opportunity.
Electricity Company Ghana has therefore encouraged customers not to make rushed decisions when contacted by someone claiming to be a company official. Instead, they should independently verify the information through official Electricity Company Ghana channels before making any payment.
The company has also advised customers to be careful about the personal information they share. Mobile money PINs, passwords and verification codes should never be disclosed to callers or individuals claiming to be Electricity Company Ghana employees.
Customers who receive suspicious calls should end the conversation and report the number to ECG and the police. Anyone who visits a customer’s home or business claiming to be an Electricity Company Ghana official should also be asked to provide valid company identification.
The warning is not the first time ECG has raised concerns about fraudulent meter-related activities.
In an earlier notice, the company said it had received complaints about impostors contacting customers and claiming they could help them secure meters or resolve meter-related problems.
ECG said it had not authorised private individuals or third-party agents to contact customers for meter acquisition. Corrections Policy
Electricity Company Ghana has also previously warned against the use of fake or unauthorised meters. The company said such meters may not have been tested or calibrated to meet the required standards and could create risks including electrical faults, fire, overloading and damage to transformers.
The current warning therefore carries both financial and safety implications for electricity consumers.
Customers who obtain meters from unauthorised sources may not only lose money but could also face difficulties regularising their electricity supply.
For customers, the safest approach is to deal directly with Electricity Company Ghana when applying for a meter, resolving a service issue or making payments.
The ECG Power App is an official platform for electricity-related transactions, while the *226# shortcode provides a USSD option for customers without smartphones. Editorial Standards
As digital payments and social media continue to play a larger role in everyday transactions, fraudsters are increasingly using familiar platforms to make their schemes appear legitimate.
ECG is therefore urging customers to remain alert, avoid unofficial meter sellers, reject requests to transfer money to personal mobile money accounts and verify suspicious claims before taking action.
The company says customers should *pay only through the Electricity Company Ghana Power App or 226# and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
By following these precautions, electricity consumers can reduce their exposure to financial scams while helping Electricity Company Ghana and law enforcement agencies identify individuals attempting to exploit the company’s name.