Pune: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has started a drive to recover overdue water tax by disconnecting water connections of properties with outstanding dues. While the corporation is using official SMS and other channels to remind citizens about their pending payments, fraudulent messages are being circulated to scam people.

These deceptive SMS messages warn recipients, “Pay your dues immediately, or your water connection will be disconnected by 9 PM tonight.” The messages are signed by "Devesh Joshi, Municipal Corporation Officer," with a fraudulent mobile number (9309445824).

The PCMC has clarified that it never sends such messages from unauthorized numbers and that these are attempts to defraud citizens. The municipal corporation has requested citizens to disregard such SMS and avoid financial fraud.

Precautionary Measures Advised by PCMC

Avoid Fraudulent Apps: Messages or WhatsApp notifications asking citizens to download applications for updating personal details are scams. Citizens should not click on such links or download these applications.

Contact Helpline for Verification: If anyone has doubts about their water tax payments or account details, they should directly contact the official PCMC helpline at 8888006666.

Avinash Shinde, Assistant Commissioner, Taxation Department stated, "The Tax Collection Department of PCMC has initiated a campaign to recover water tax dues. Citizens receive official SMS reminders from authorized systems.

We never send messages from unauthorized numbers asking for payments. Citizens are advised to ignore such messages and take precautions to avoid financial fraud."