HPCL, IOCL And BPCL Alert Customers About Fake LPG Delivery Messages
State-run oil firms warn LPG consumers against fake OTP and DAC scams through SMS and WhatsApp.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited — have issued a public warning over a growing number of LPG delivery scams targeting consumers through fake messages and calls. The companies cautioned customers against sharing sensitive authentication details with fraudsters posing as delivery agents or gas agency officials.
According to the advisories issued by the three public-sector oil firms, scammers are sending fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages designed to resemble official LPG delivery notifications. These messages typically ask customers to share One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or Delivery Authentication Codes (DACs), which are meant to be disclosed only at the time of cylinder delivery to authorised personnel.
The companies said that in several reported cases, fraudsters have also been making phone calls pretending to be representatives of LPG agencies. The callers allegedly claim that customers need to complete urgent Know Your Customer (KYC) updates or Aadhaar verification to prevent disconnection of gas services. During the process, victims are pressured into sharing OTPs or clicking suspicious links.
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HPCL stated that genuine delivery notifications will always arrive from the official sender ID “VM-HPGASc-S” and contain a four-digit OTP meant exclusively for doorstep verification during cylinder delivery. The company stressed that its representatives never ask customers to reveal OTPs over phone calls, WhatsApp messages, or unofficial communication channels.
Indian Oil similarly advised customers to share the six-digit DAC only with authorised Indane delivery staff at the time of receiving the cylinder. BPCL also reiterated that customers should never disclose authentication codes except during actual delivery, warning that this single precaution can help prevent financial fraud and misuse of customer accounts.
Consumers have been advised to use only official mobile applications and websites such as IndianOil One, HPPay, and Hello BPCL for bookings and account-related services. Authorities also urged victims of cyber fraud to immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930, noting that reporting incidents within the “golden hour” significantly improves the chances of recovering lost funds or freezing fraudulent transactions.
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