Fake water disconnection alerts circulating on WhatsApp: HMWSSB issues public warning

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) on May 30, 2025, has issued a public caution notice warning Hyderabad residents about fraudulent WhatsApp messages falsely claiming that water connections will be disconnected due to non-payment of bills.

According to the Board, the messages are being circulated from an unidentified mobile number 84271 56645 and state that water supply will be cut off at 9:30 PM due to non-payment of last month’s bill. Recipients are being urged to contact another number, 90649 53421, for assistance.

Upon contacting the second number, citizens are reportedly being sent an APK file via WhatsApp under the pretext of further processing. HMWSSB has confirmed that these messages are neither sent nor authorized by the Board.

“No such messages are being issued through WhatsApp. These are misleading and unauthorized,” the Board said in its statement. Citizens are strongly advised not to respond, contact the numbers mentioned, or download any APK files sent through such unsolicited messages.

The matter has been referred to Cyber Crime authorities for investigation. HMWSSB highlighted that all official communication is shared only through authorized channels. For any queries, citizens should contact the official helpline at 155313. The public notice was issued by the Managing Director of HMWSSB in the interest of safeguarding residents from potential fraud.