- Consumers are asked to click on specific link: advocate.
- Says criminals who use QR codes to achieve malicious goals.
- LEAs informed of such illegal activities: spokesperson.
ISLAMABAD: The Energy Department of the Ministry of Energy on Friday warned consumers against criminal elements trying to steal data through fraudulent links related to the government’s electricity subsidy program.
In an advisory, a Power Division spokesman said consumers were asked to click on a specific link and complete a four-step process to share personal information, followed by entering a six-digit code.
Some elements are also using QR codes to achieve malicious goals, the spokesperson said, adding that no consumer information related to electricity bills can be submitted on any platform other than the official system.
The spokesperson clarified that such methods of data collection were illegal and that law enforcement agencies have been informed of criminal elements involved in these activities.
Citizens have been advised not to enter information digitally or on paper for subsidy purposes outside the authorized channels.
Separately, the Power Division spokesman said a technical problem on the website lasted for two days but has now been resolved after server capacity was increased.
The QR system usually works without problems, he said, adding that more than 1 million users have already completed the registration.
The spokesman further said that homes with multiple meters in the names of different family members were counted as separate families in the system.
