The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated scam that’s tricking unsuspecting customers through their water supply bills. Clever fraudsters are manipulating barcodes and QR codes, redirecting payments to fake bank accounts. To shield yourself from falling prey to this ruse, make sure your bills haven’t been tampered with—keep an eye out for any stickers or papers obscuring the original details. Always verify the receiver’s account name before you proceed with any payments, and ensure your payments only go to official PWA accounts.
Chakapong Kamchan, Deputy Governor (Operation 2) and currently the Acting Director of PWA, made an urgent statement: “Scammers are now targeting the infrastructure bills of many government-owned enterprises. They alter barcodes or QR codes to redirect payments to unauthorized accounts. The PWA urges the public to thoroughly check their bills for completeness—this includes your customer number, name, and water usage information. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, report it to the PWA immediately.”
Emphasizing the need for vigilance and security, Kamchan added, “For your convenience, speed, and safety, we encourage the public to use PWA’s online payment channels. You can do this safely through our website at www.pwa.co.th, or via the PWA Line OA (@pwathailand), identifiable by its green shield icon. Another option is the PWA Plus Life application, which is available for free on both the App Store and Play Store. Payments can also be securely made at authorized PWA representative outlets.”
Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information or assistance. The PWA Contact Centre is at your service 24 hours a day at 1662. Stay vigilant and keep your payments safe!
This is terrifying! I can’t believe that scammers are now targeting our water bills. What next?
Right? Makes you wonder how secure our other bills are.
It’s really a wake-up call for everyone to double-check everything. It’s easy to overlook small details.
Absolutely, Carol. I think I’ll start paying more attention to all my bills from now on.
It’s not just about checking your bills, it’s about the authorities doing more to protect us.
That’s a good point, Mike. But it’s also our responsibility to stay informed and vigilant.
True, Helen. Still, we pay taxes for these services and expect proper security measures.
I always thought barcodes and QR codes were foolproof. How is this even possible?
They’re not as foolproof as you think. Scammers get smarter every day.
Yeah, Rhea. If someone can alter them, that means there’s a vulnerability. We must stay cautious.
I guess I’ll be using the official PWA website for all future payments.
Should we really trust online payments though? Aren’t they also prone to scams?
Online payments can be secure as long as you use official and verified channels, John.
I suppose, but the idea of all the risks out there still makes me uneasy.
If the PWA website and app are trustworthy, I’d rather take that route than risk paper bill scams.
What if you’re not tech-savvy and prefer paying in person?
Then you should go to authorized outlets as the article suggests, Debbie.
Good point, Chris. In-person payments can still be secure if you follow the right steps.
This is why education about cybersecurity is so important. People need to be aware of the risks.
How much more do they expect us to do? We’re already juggling so many responsibilities.
Scams like these just prove how outdated paper billing systems are. Time to go fully digital.
But not everyone has access to digital platforms. What about the elderly or those in rural areas?
Good point, but maybe we need better digital inclusion programs to make this transition smoother.
I’m just going to stick to paying through the bank. That should be safest, right?
It should be safe, as long you’re sure it’s an official channel. Always better to double-check.
Agreed, Kathy. Double-checking is key in these situations.
Scams like these make me lose faith in the safety of any payment system.
I feel bad for the people who fell for this scam. They must be feeling so helpless.
Yes, Lena. It’s quite unfortunate. Best we can do is spread awareness so it doesn’t happen to more people.
Will the PWA reimburse those who got scammed?
Technology should be working for us, not against us. Maybe they need better encryption or something?
I wonder if other countries are experiencing the same problems with their utility bills.
Scams are a global issue, Jerry. It’s very likely.
Thanks, Amanda. Scammers seem to be everywhere these days.
What’s next? Are we going to have to microchip our bills to keep them safe?
Haha, Cody. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Just read this! I’ll be triple-checking all my bills from now on. Thanks for the heads-up.