Emails promising refunds hide scammer traps! Taipower reminds you: Image links are scams; don't click them
Illegal actors have in recent days been impersonating Taipower by sending out emails that say things like "statement error, refund notice, apply for refund immediately”. By talking about calculation errors and refund applications, these scammers have tricked innocent people into clicking on phishing (scam) web-links and then stolen their money. Taipower reminds you that these kinds of emails often use a new type of scam where the entire email is an image. By displaying what appears to be a Taipower URL (web address) in the image, members of the public are tricked into following what is actually a malicious link to a fraudulent website. From there, scammers can trick you into providing your personal data. Taipower reminds you to be on high alert so that you don't get scammed.
A Taipower spokesperson stated that there are only two ways in which overpaid bills can only be refunded: Transfer as a discount to the next period's bill, or a refund in person at a service counter. Any email or text message telling you to apply for a refund through other methods is a scam.
The spokesperson pointed out that emails sent out by Taipower related to electrical bills will not attach URLs, nor will they ask you to provide your identification number, credit card number, or other such personal data. If you find that an email you receive has a URL in it, it is a phishing email.
The spokesperson further pointed out that you can also tell that an email is a scam by checking for errors in the sender's email address, and misspelled/suspicious URLs. If the email obscures your Taipower customer number, obscures the sender's email address, or has a zip file attachment, then it's a phishing scam email. Do not click on any link you're not sure about.
Taipower reminds you that if you encounter any suspicious emails, texts, or phone calls, you should call Taipower's 24-hour 1911 customer service line or the Criminal Investigation Bureau's 165 Anti-fraud Hotline to ask questions. Let's all work together to fight scams and keep our pocketbooks safe!
Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271/ 0922-696-383
Email: u030573@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Business Director Chung Ssu-Suu
Phone: (02) 2366-6650/0922-483-804
Email: u149447@taipower.com.tw