Cemig lança alerta contra golpes e permite que clientes identifiquem contas falsas em segundos
Cemig has launched a new feature in its Cemig Atende app that lets customers verify in seconds whether an electricity bill is genuine or fraudulent. The company says the tool is the first of its kind in Brazil and is designed to strengthen protection against scams involving fake payment slips, helping safeguard the utility’s 9.8 million customers in Minas Gerais.
The new feature is called “Validador de conta de luz Cemig” and is available in the company’s official mobile app for Android and iOS devices. To use it, customers must keep the app updated. Cemig says the function was developed in response to increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, especially fake bills sent through messaging apps, email, or even printed copies altered by criminals.
According to Cemig president Alexandre Ramos, the tool adds an extra layer of security for consumers and aims to make payments safer and more transparent. He said the technology was created to give customers more peace of mind when paying and to make it harder for criminals to use counterfeit bills to carry out scams.
The process is simple. Users open the main menu in the app, select “Validador de conta de luz Cemig,” and the system automatically activates the phone camera to scan the QR code printed on the bill. If the bill is legitimate, the app immediately shows the seal “Conta de luz Cemig válida,” confirming that the charge was officially issued by the company. If the system detects any inconsistency, it warns the customer about a possible fraud and advises them not to make the payment until it is confirmed through official channels.
Cemig says fraudsters have been using increasingly elaborate tactics to trick consumers, including urgent messages, fake debt renegotiation offers, and fraudulent links. The company also stresses that it never asks for personal passwords, SMS or WhatsApp verification codes, or full banking details.
Another key warning from the utility is to check the beneficiary name before paying any bill. On official bills, the recipient should always appear as Cemig Distribuição S.A., with CNPJ 06.981.180/0001-16.
To reduce the risk of scams, Cemig advises consumers to be cautious of messages that create a false sense of urgency, never share passwords or codes, verify the beneficiary name before paying, use only official Cemig channels, and avoid clicking unknown links sent by third parties.
If a customer suspects fraud, Cemig recommends stopping the payment immediately, contacting the company through official channels, and filing a police report.
