Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has refuted a widely circulated social media post alleging that the company planned to deduct money from EcoCash wallets of customers who had used virtual private networks (VPNs) to access free data.
The false post, which mimicked an official Econet announcement, claimed that the company had detected unauthorised VPN usage and would automatically deduct funds to recover data costs.
However, Econet swiftly labelled the viral image as “FAKE,” clarifying it that no such statement had been issued.
To date, the telecommunications provider has not released any official communication regarding deductions linked to VPN activity.
In Zimbabwe, telecom companies have been grappling with increased VPN usage, as customers turn to the technology to bypass data restrictions and access blocked websites.
However, enforcing retroactive charges for VPN use raises legal concerns, particularly in relation to consumer protection laws.
The misleading post has caused unease among Econet subscribers, especially those who depend on VPNs for internet access.
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While some social media users dismissed it as an attempt to spread panic, others urged the company to clarify its stance on VPN use.
Econet has since advised customers to rely on its official communication channels for verified updates and to ignore misleading information circulating online.
This incident follows a trend of fraudulent posts targeting major Zimbabwean corporations in recent months.
Experts caution that social media misinformation is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with false announcements often replicating official branding and language to mislead the public.
Authorities have urged users to verify the credibility of information before sharing, warning that spreading false corporate statements could cause unnecessary panic or even financial scams.
Econet has yet to confirm whether any legal action will be taken against those responsible for the fake post.
