Do not be deceived by scammers claiming to be electricity officials who break into homes to demand backdated electricity payments, targeting elderly people living alone.
On 18 Dec 2025, it was reported that on 17 Dec, Mr. Tosaphon Jakkarboonma, District Chief of Wang Nuea, Lampang Province, together with officials from the Wang Nuea Damrongtham Center and the Provincial Electricity Authority of Wang Nuea District, inspected a house in Wang Sai Subdistrict, Wang Nuea District. The household had complained that someone impersonating an electricity official from Wang Nuea came to collect backdated electricity bills and demanded payment for alleged outstanding charges. The man was suspicious, covering his face with cloth. Multiple victims in Wang Nuea District were deceived by him.
According to Ms. Jiraporn Kidarn, 43, and her 78-year-old grandmother, the incident happened in the afternoon of 12 Dec. At that time, the grandmother was home alone while Ms. Jiraporn was at work. A man claiming to be an official from the Provincial Electricity Authority of Wang Nuea shouted at the homeowner to quickly pay electricity bills overdue for several months, although the house had no outstanding bills. The grandmother, unaware, said she would tell her child to pay. Two to three days later, the man returned demanding payment again, but the grandmother declined, saying her child would pay directly at the electricity office.
The Wang Nuea District Chief warns residents to be cautious if strangers claiming to be officials from the Provincial Electricity Authority of Wang Nuea approach them, especially elderly people living alone. Such incidents are likely scams targeting elderly individuals by demanding overdue electricity payments. Residents should promptly report such cases to electricity officials or the local village headman so that appropriate action can be taken.
Mr. Taweewat Phoncharoen, Acting Manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority in Wang Nuea, stated that the authority has not sent officials to collect outstanding electricity payments at the homes of the three affected households. Furthermore, the authority does not have a policy of cutting off electricity on public holidays or weekends. The users had already paid their electricity bills for October and November on 3 and 4 December 2025.
Therefore, the Provincial Electricity Authority confirms that there is no ongoing debt collection for months already paid. They warn that those contacting residents are definitely scammers. Residents are urged to verify any debt collection requests by calling the Provincial Electricity Authority at 054-279106 between 08:30 and 16:30 on working days. Do not trust scammers or pay money without verifying information. If such incidents occur, report the information to the police to bring the perpetrators to justice.