The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) says it is worried by activities of fraudulent agents illegally collecting bill payments from unsuspecting customers.
PHED’s Manager of Corporate Communications, Mr John Onyi, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the company had lost huge revenue from activities of criminals.
He said the fake payments agents, ATB, had targeted customers receiving electricity supply from its Bundu substations in Port Harcourt, and warned customers against patronising it.
“The fraudulent individuals are disguising themselves as bill payment agents to swindle our valued customers in Borokiri area under Bundu substations 1, 2 and 3.
“The affected areas are Railyway Bundu, New Bundu Ama, Old Bundu Ama, Dockyard and Prison Waterfront.
Onyi urged customers to desist from paying their electricity bills to any unauthorised payment agent in Borokiri area.
According to him, the company will not be held responsible for any loss of money by customers who fail to make payments through the company’s authorised channels.
“To this end, PHED has not designated any individual or company by name ATB to interface with customers for the purpose of bill collection.
“Anyone who patronises ATB or any unregistered agent on electricity bill payment does so at his/her own risk.
“PHED’s official channels for bill payment still remains: PHED cash offices, banks as well as its accredited agents, including, Easypay, Xpreespay, Itex and VTpass,” he said.
