The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has issued a warning for the public to beware of scammers disguised as PWA officers, sending SMS messages requesting an update to the PWA Plus Life application through a fraudulent link. PWA reaffirms that no such policy has been issued and that application updates must be processed via the App Store and Google Play only.
Chakapong Kamchan, Deputy Governor (Operation 2) and Acting Director of PWA, stated, “Currently, many customers are receiving SMS messages from scammers posing as PWA staff, asking users of the PWA Plus Life application to update the app by clicking a link included in the SMS. The public are advised to beware of these scamming SMS messages, as the attached link is fraudulent. Following the link risks becoming a victim, potentially allowing access to private data for financial transactions or installing remote applications on their phones.”
By accessing smartphones via a remote system, scammers can control the devices from remote areas and conduct transactions from victims’ bank accounts, leading to loss of personal possessions. The PWA Plus Life application must be downloaded directly from the App Store and Google Play only. Therefore, the public must be cautious when receiving SMS messages from supposed organisations and should verify the source directly with the organisation. Fraudulent SMS messages should be deleted immediately upon detection.
The acting director also emphasised, “To prevent scams and avoid becoming victims, the public can use PWA’s online payment channels, including www.pwa.co.th, PWA Line OA: การประปาส่วนภูมิภาค (@pwathailand) with a green shield icon, and the PWA Plus Life application, available for free download on the App Store and Play Store. Payments can also be made at PWA representative outlets. For more information, please contact the PWA Contact Centre at 1662, available 24 hours.”