Conmen Are Posing As Gas Company Staff To Fleece New LPG Customers, Here Is How To Apply Safely And What The 2026 Rules Now Say Indian Oil has warned Indane users that fraudsters posing as company staff are demanding money for new LPG connections. Here is the correct way to apply, the documents you need, and the revised 2026 refill and PNG rules. If a new cooking gas connection is on your to do list, hold on before you hand any cash to someone claiming to be a company agent. Indian Oil Corporation has issued an urgent warning asking Indane customers to stay alert against tricksters who pretend to be company staff and demand money for new LPG connections and other services. In a post on its official X account, the company said that unverified individuals are approaching prospective customers and asking for money to set up new cylinder connections. Indian Oil made it clear that no public sector oil marketing company has appointed any agency or person to collect money from applicants at any stage, and these companies will not be responsible for any amount paid to such individuals or groups. The company has urged consumers to rely only on official mobile apps such as IndianOil ONE. It has also asked people not to share personal details, banking information, OTPs or authentication codes through unknown calls, messages or suspicious links. The Correct Way To Get A New LPG Connection A new connection for Indane, HP Gas or Bharat Gas can be taken in two ways. You can apply online through the official portal of any oil marketing company, or offline by visiting an authorised distributor. For an online application, follow these simple steps: • Step 1: Visit the IndianOil LPG services portal, or the HPCL/BPCL website. • Step 2: Select the option for a new LPG connection. • Step 3: Fill in the online form with your personal and address details and upload the required KYC documents. • Step 4: Choose the nearest Indane LPG distributor and wait for the distributor to reach out for installation and the security deposit payment. The application can also be submitted through the UMANG portal. There is also the SAHAJ (e-SV) online process, in which customers register for a new connection by completing the online KYC form and uploading proof of address and identity. After this, Indian Oil runs an inter-company KYC de-duplication check online so that the same person does not end up with two connections. For the offline route, you visit the nearest Indane LPG distributor office, collect and fill out the new connection application or KYC form, submit the required identity and address proof, and pay the applicable security deposit. Once the documents are verified, the distributor processes the application and fixes a date for installation. Documents You Need For A New Connection To get a new Indane, Bharat Gas or HP Gas connection, you need identity proof such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence or Passport, along with address proof such as a recent electricity or water bill, bank statement, lease agreement or ration card. Aadhaar matters the most here, as it is the document through which customers receive their subsidy under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. Once your connection is active, refills can be booked in several ways, including the IndianOil ONE app, WhatsApp (send REFILL to 7588888824), SMS, IVRS or the official website. Eligible households get the subsidy credited directly under the PAHAL scheme. Refill Booking Rules Changed In 2026 The government has revised its LPG refill booking rules this year, citing global supply concerns and geopolitical pressures. The lock-in period between refills for both 14.2kg and 5kg cylinder connections has been changed to 25 days for urban customers and 45 days for rural customers, up from the earlier interval of 21 days. LPG To PNG: The 30 Day Rule Alongside this, the government has brought in the One Household, One Gas Connection rule. Under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Amendment Order, 2026, notified on May 25, households that adopt a PNG connection must surrender their existing LPG connection within 30 days. This new 30 day rule is a major step towards cutting down duplicate connections and curbing black marketing, helping to prevent the misuse of subsidised commercial cylinders. What this means for you • For new applicants: No oil company collects money through agents, so never pay cash to anyone for a new connection and apply only through official portals or an authorised distributor. • For refill users: You now wait 25 days in cities and 45 days in villages between refills of 14.2kg and 5kg cylinders, up from 21 days. • For PNG adopters: If you take a PNG connection you must surrender your existing LPG connection within 30 days, or risk action against duplicate connections. Questions & Answers 1. What is Indian Oil warning customers about? Fraudsters posing as company representatives are demanding money for new LPG connections and other services. 2. Does any oil company charge money for a new connection through agents? No, no public sector oil marketing company has appointed any agency or person to collect money at any stage, and companies are not responsible for money paid to such people. 3. How can I safely apply for a new LPG connection? Apply online through the official IndianOil/HPCL/BPCL portal or UMANG, or offline at an authorised distributor, and rely only on official apps like IndianOil ONE. 4. What documents do I need for a new connection? Identity proof such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence or Passport, plus address proof such as a recent electricity or water bill, bank statement, lease agreement or ration card. 5. What is the new refill lock-in period in 2026? 25 days for urban customers and 45 days for rural customers for both 14.2kg and 5kg cylinders, up from the earlier 21 days. 6. What is the 30 day PNG rule? Under the 2026 amendment order notified on May 25, households that take a PNG connection must surrender their existing LPG connection within 30 days. 7. How can I book a refill? Through the IndianOil ONE app, WhatsApp by sending REFILL to 7588888824, SMS, IVRS or the official website. https://trendkia.com/en/money/naya-gaisa-kanekshana-lena-hai-to-savadhana-pharji-ejenta-vasula-rahe-paise-indane-hp-bharat-gas-ka-sahi-tarika-aura-30-dina-ka-na-2630 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.