The Water Supplies Department today alerted the public to a fraudulent SMS message purportedly issued by the department concerning outstanding payments.

The department said that it had recently received enquiries about the message, which asks recipients to settle outstanding payments by clicking a link with the URL “https[:]//pnigov [.]sbs”, which is not the department's web address.

In addition to clarifying that it did not send the SMS message in question, the department stressed that it will not direct customers to other websites via hyperlinks embedded in an SMS message. It has reported the case to Police.

The department reminded the public that it is registered in the SMS Sender Registration Scheme by the Office of the Communications Authority. All SMS messages issued by the department will include the prefix “#” in the SMS sender ID for easy identification.

It added that anyone who has submitted personal information to the website concerned should contact Police. They can also call 2824 5000 for enquiries.