In India, gas connections are part of every household. Whether it’s for cooking meals or using hot water, LPG cylinders are a basic need. But now, fraudsters are using this need to cheat innocent people. They are sending fake messages, making calls, and even visiting homes in the name of gas agencies.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the most common gas-related scams happening in India. We’ll also share simple tips on how to protect yourself and report any fraud. This article is especially written for everyday Indian readers who want to stay informed and safe.

For reporting any suspicious activity related to your gas connection, you can visit the Chakshu Portal. This is an official site where you can report frauds and protect yourself and others.

Fake Gas Disconnection Messages

One of the most common scams is the gas disconnection message. You may receive a message saying, “Your gas connection will be disconnected by 10:30 PM tonight due to non-payment. Please call this number immediately.” The message usually comes with a fake customer care number.

When you call that number, someone will act like a company official. They’ll scare you, saying your gas will be disconnected. Then, they will ask you to pay a small amount online. This is how they get your payment details and misuse them.

How to Stay Safe:

Do not panic if you get such a message.
Do not call the number in the message.
Always use the official website or app of your gas provider to check your bill.
If in doubt, visit the Chakshu Portal to report the fraud.

Cylinder Booked Without Your Knowledge

Some customers find out that a gas cylinder was booked from their account, but they never made the booking. What happens here is that someone, sometimes even someone from the gas agency, books cylinders using customer IDs and sells them in the black market.

This scam mostly targets people who don’t book cylinders often. The scammers take advantage of your unused quota.

How to Stay Safe:

Check your booking history every month.
If you get a message about a booking or delivery that you didn’t make, report it.
Call your gas distributor directly to cancel such fake bookings.
You can also report this on the Chakshu Portal.

Receiving Underweight Gas Cylinders

Many people have shared that their gas cylinders seem to run out faster than expected. Sometimes, this is because the cylinder delivered is not full. In a few cases, delivery people take out some gas before bringing the cylinder to your home.

This happened in cities like Nagpur, where a group was caught stealing gas from domestic cylinders and using it for commercial use.

How to Stay Safe:

Always check the seal of the gas cylinder before accepting it.
If you have a weighing machine, check the weight. It should match the printed weight.
Report underweight cylinders to your distributor.
You can also report such fraud on the Chakshu Portal.

Fake Gas Connection Offers

Scammers also cheat people by offering fake gas connections. They post ads or send messages offering quick gas connections at cheap prices. They may ask you to pay a small amount like ₹10 or ₹50 to “register.” Once you pay, they may steal your card details or ask for more money later.

In one case, a woman lost over ₹59,000 after paying a small ₹10 charge for a fake connection.

How to Stay Safe:

Always get a new gas connection from official dealers only.
Do not trust messages or ads promising fast or cheap connections.
Do not make payments through links or unknown apps.
If you fall for such a scam, report it immediately on the Chakshu Portal.

Agents Forcing You to Buy Accessories

Sometimes, people claiming to be from your gas agency come to your home for “KYC update” or “safety check.” During the visit, they pressure you to buy a new gas pipe, lighter, or regulator, even if you don’t need them.

These products are usually overpriced, and in many cases, the visitor is not from the gas company at all.

How to Stay Safe:

Ask for ID before letting anyone check your gas setup.
Don’t feel pressured to buy anything on the spot.
Contact your gas distributor to confirm if any safety visit was scheduled.
Report such forced sales on the Chakshu Portal.

Black Marketing of Subsidized Gas

Many families get subsidized gas cylinders. However, some delivery people sell these cylinders at higher prices to hotels or businesses. They misuse your account to book these extra cylinders.

You may not even notice it unless you check your gas booking regularly.

How to Stay Safe:

Check your booking and subsidy details every month.
Use your gas company’s mobile app or website to keep track.
Report any extra booking you didn’t make on the Chakshu Portal.

Where to Report Gas Scams?

If you face any gas-related fraud or notice something wrong, you don’t have to stay quiet. Report it on the Chakshu Portal. This site is meant for ordinary people to report scams and fake messages.

You just need to fill in the details like the phone number, message, or incident. Your report can help stop such scams from happening to others.

Final Words

Scams related to gas connections are increasing every year. But with a little awareness, you can stay safe. Don’t believe every message or call you receive. Always double-check using your gas company’s official website or customer care number.

And if anything seems strange, report it on the Chakshu Portal. It’s easy, quick, and could help save someone else from falling into the same trap.

Stay alert, and keep your gas connection and money safe.

Common Scams Targeting Gas Consumers and How to Avoid Them