If your electricity bill looks too high and the figures do not match your meter, you can file an electricity overbilling complaint free of charge. The fastest route is to call the DISCO helpline 118, then register a written complaint through your company's online complaint system, and escalate to NEPRA if it is not fixed within about 30 days. You do not need a lawyer, an agent, or any fee. You only need your 14-digit reference number, your last few bills, and a clear photo of your meter reading.
Overbilling complaints rise every summer, and 2026 is no exception. With fuel adjustments and seasonal tariff changes pushing amounts up, more consumers are questioning charges they do not recognise. This guide explains, step by step, how to check whether you have really been overbilled, how to complain, and how to escalate so the wrong amount is corrected.
First, confirm it is actually overbilling
Before you complain, make sure the bill is genuinely wrong. A higher bill is not always an error. Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), a slab jump, or heavy summer AC load can all raise the amount legitimately. Our guide on why your electricity bill is too high explains the common causes.
Do these checks first:
- Compare the "Units Consumed" on the bill with the reading on your meter today.
- Look at the "Meter Reading" dates and confirm they match a real reading cycle, not an estimate.
- Check if the amount jumped because your total units crossed into a higher slab.
- Look for a "DETECTION" charge or an "arrears" line you were not expecting.
- Confirm the reference number and meter number on the bill are yours.
If the units billed are far more than your meter shows, or the reading looks estimated, you likely have a real case. You can pull up your latest figures any time using our free bill status check.
Gather your evidence
A complaint with proof is resolved much faster than a vague one. Collect these before you file:
- Your 14-digit reference number (Consumer Number).
- Your last three electricity bills.
- A clear, dated photo of your meter showing the current reading.
- Your CNIC number.
- An active mobile number for updates.
Keep the meter photo timestamped. It is the single strongest piece of evidence when the billed reading does not match reality.
Step 1: Call the 118 helpline
Every DISCO in Pakistan — LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, GEPCO, HESCO, PESCO, QESCO, SEPCO, TESCO and HAZECO — uses 118 as its complaint helpline. Dial 118 from any mobile or landline and you are connected to the complaint centre for your area.
Explain that you believe you have been overbilled. Give your reference number and your current meter reading. Ask for a complaint number and write it down. This number is your proof that you raised the issue and starts the clock on resolution.
Step 2: File an online complaint (CCMS)
A phone call alone can be hard to track, so also lodge a written complaint. Most DISCOs run a Central Complaint Management System (CCMS) on their official website.
- Open your DISCO's official site. You can reach the correct bill page from our home page or a company page such as LESCO bill check.
- Find the "Complaints" or "CCMS" option.
- Enter your reference number, name and mobile number.
- Select the category — usually "Overbilling" or "Wrong Reading".
- Describe the problem in one or two lines and attach your meter photo.
- Submit and save the complaint ID.
Keep the complaint ID and any screenshots. You will need them if you have to escalate.
Step 3: Visit the consumer service centre (if needed)
If the online system is down or you prefer to be seen in person, go to your DISCO's nearest customer service centre. Take your last three bills, your CNIC and the meter photo. Ask them to register a formal complaint and give you a written acknowledgment. A stamped acknowledgment carries weight if the matter goes further.
Step 4: Escalate to NEPRA
If your DISCO has not corrected the bill within a reasonable time — usually around 30 to 45 days — or offers an unfair answer, take it to the regulator. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) can order the company to correct the bill and can even award compensation for the inconvenience.
You can register a complaint on the official NEPRA complaint portal at nepra.org.pk. Provide your reference number, full name, contact details, the history of the case, and your photographic proof. NEPRA also runs a mobile app for tracking urgent complaints. Because NEPRA acts as a mediator, having your earlier DISCO complaint number and acknowledgment ready makes the case much stronger.
What happens after you complain
Once your complaint is registered, the DISCO is expected to inspect the reading and respond. Possible outcomes include a corrected bill, a reversal of a wrong detection charge, or an adjustment applied to your next month's bill. If the correction is agreed, you should see it reflected as a credit or a revised amount.
Keep paying any undisputed portion on time if you can, because a fully unpaid bill can lead to disconnection while the dispute is open. Ask the DISCO whether the due date can be extended while the complaint is under review.
Tips to avoid overbilling next time
- Note your own meter reading on the same date each month and compare it with the bill.
- Photograph the meter monthly so you always have a record.
- Check your bill online as soon as it is issued, rather than waiting for the paper copy.
- Watch for "estimated" readings, which are a common source of errors.
- If your amount spikes, read our summer 2026 high-bill guide before assuming it is a mistake.
Roman Urdu: khulasa
Agar aap ka bijli ka bill zyada aaya hai aur meter ki reading se match nahi karta, to overbilling complaint bilkul free karwa sakte hain. Pehle apne meter ki reading bill se compare karein. Phir 118 par call karein, apna 14-digit reference number aur meter reading batayein, aur complaint number likh lein. Uske baad apni DISCO ki website par CCMS mein online complaint darj karein aur meter ki photo attach karein. Agar 30 din mein masla hal na ho, to NEPRA ki website nepra.org.pk par complaint karein. Har mahine apni meter reading note karein aur bill online check karein taake ghalti pakri ja sake.
Check your bill now
Do not pay a suspicious amount blindly. First confirm the figures: open the eBill Pakistan home page or your company page such as LESCO, enter your reference number, and view your units and amount in seconds — free, with no sign-up.