Ah, wonderful. In a twist that no one saw coming (a lie, we all saw it coming), the **Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has had to come out, once again, to tell the population not to believe any character on the internet who claims to be them**. Imagine, the institution that sometimes seems like an abstract and unattainable entity is now so popular that everyone wants to be it. What an honor, right?
It turns out that some **cybercriminals with a lot of creativity and zero morals** have decided that their new *hobby* is to impersonate employees of the energy company. And although this is as new as a blackout during the rainy season, the CFE, with the patience of a kindergarten teacher, urges us to **ignore fraudulent messages or calls**. Because, of course, the difficult thing is to distinguish between the real call from the CFE (which is also sometimes scary) and the one from the scammer. A true modern philosophical dilemma.
But don’t worry, the company, in an act of public service, has enlightened us with the catalog of **digital fraud techniques** that operate under its prestigious (and now highly sought after) image. Take note, this is survival material in the 21st century.
### The ingenious (and tacky) manual of the “CFE-style” scammer
According to the company’s portal, which we surely all visit daily for pleasure, frauds are as varied as a street vendor’s offer. Here are the top of the most viewed:
* **Phishing**: This gem of social engineering consists of friendly scammers asking you to open a link that seems more official than a presidential decree. **The result, of course, is that your data is stolen and your device is infected with malware**. It’s like being given a cake that, with the first bite, empties your bank account. Surprise!
* **Fake pages on social networks**: With logos so well made that they even excite, they offer dream services: **miraculous discounts or the magical “maneuver” to alter meters**. Spoiler alert: the products are useless, but they are the perfect hook for a nice **extortion**. Because what is more convincing than a stranger on Facebook who promises to hack your light meter?
* **The “Managers” of the CFE**: This is a renewed classic. A guy usurps the identity of an employee (he probably imagines himself wearing a vest and helmet) and calls you to offer you **irrefutable job offers or help with paperwork, in exchange for a modest deposit**. It is the digital version of “Sir, I am from the electricity company, let me check your meter”.
* **Discounts or debt cancellations**: If a charitable soul offers to **make your debt with the CFE disappear in exchange for a small fee**, ignore them. Unless, of course, you believe in miracles and unicorns. The CFE canceling debts out of kindness is as likely as receiving a zero receipt.
* **Gifts and raffles for holidays**: Congratulations! You have been the millionth user and the CFE, in an outburst of Christmas generosity in the middle of July, wants to give you money. **Don’t pay attention, it’s a fraud**. The CFE’s only real raffle is to see if this month your receipt comes with the correct calculation.
### And the CFE, heroin in the shadows, counterattacks with… common sense advice
Faced with this bleak panorama, the company has deployed its citizen protection artillery. Get ready for a revelation:
* Do not respond to strange numbers. If you do, and it sounds suspicious, **hang up immediately**. It’s not rude, it’s intelligence.
* The CFE **will never contact you by WhatsApp, SMS or Facebook** for serious matters. If it does, it is as fake as a 30 peso bill.
* If they send you links, do not open them. Delete them. **It is not a hidden treasure, it is a virus in disguise**.
* For procedures, go to the official portal (www.cfe.gob.mx) or dial 071. Yes, it is less exciting than dealing with an anonymous scammer, but it is safer.
* Stay informed only through their official channels: @CFEmx, @CFE_contigo, etc. Anyone else is an imposter with less credibility than a politician promising to lower the light.
The company was very clear about something: **it will never ask you for private information or money to “fix” your debt**. If they do, it is as illegitimate as charging for the air.
And so that you do not think that this is an exaggeration, the cybersecurity company **Scitum** provides data that gives chills: **in the last year, more than 6 million cyber frauds were registered in Mexico**. Six million. It is as if they scammed the entire population of Jalisco. A resounding success for digital crime.
In conclusion, **don’t let your guard down**. In today’s wonderful digital world, even the company that charges you for your electricity can be fake. If you detect something suspicious, report it to 071 or to the **Cyber Police at 088**. Because laughing at the stupidity of frauds is fine, but letting them prosper is another story.
Were you surprised by how creative scammers can be? **Share this information with your contacts** and help us electrocute these fraudulent practices before someone else falls for it. Explore more on our site to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
