RBI warns against phishing links, vishing calls, messages, emails and online scams
New Delhi: There has been a surge in the usage of digital modes of payment in recent times. This gained further momentum during the Covid-19 induced lockdowns. However, as the speed and ease of doing financial transactions have improved, the number of frauds reported in retail financial transactions has also gone up.
Fraudsters have been using innovative methods to defraud the common and gullible people of their hard-earned money, especially the new entrants in the use of digital platforms who are not entirely familiar with the techno financial eco-system.
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• Do not click on unknown / unverified links and immediately delete such SMS / email sent by the unknown sender to avoid accessing them by mistake in future.
• Unsubscribe the mails providing links to a bank/e-commerce / search engine website and block the sender’s e-mail ID, before deleting such emails.
• Always go to the official website of your bank/service provider. Carefully verify the website details, especially where it requires entering financial credentials. Check for the secure sign (HTTPS with a padlock symbol) on the website before entering secure credentials.
• Check URLs and domain names received in emails for spelling errors. In case of suspicion, inform.
• Imposters call or approach the customers through telephone calls / social media posing as bankers/company executives/insurance agents/government officials, etc. To gain confidence, imposters share a few customer details such as the customer’s name or date of birth.
• Bank officials / financial institutions / RBI / any genuine entity never ask customers to share confidential information such as username / password / card details / CVV / OTP.
• Never share these confidential details with anyone, even your own family members, and friends.
Frauds using online sales platforms
• Fraudsters pretend to be buyers on online sales platforms and show an interest in sellers’ product/s. Many fraudsters pretend to be defence personnel posted in remote locations to gain confidence.
• Always be careful when you are buying or selling products using online sales platforms.
• Always remember that there is no need to enter a PIN/password anywhere to receive money.
• If UPI or any other app requires you to enter the PIN to complete a transaction, it means you will be sending money instead of receiving it.
Frauds due to the use of unknown / unverified mobile apps
• Fraudsters circulate through SMS / email / social media / Instant Messenger, etc., certain app links, masked to appear similar to the existing apps of authorised entities.
• Never download an application from any unverified/unknown sources or on being asked/guided by an unknown person.
• As a prudent practise before downloading, check on the publishers/owners of the app being downloaded as well as its user ratings etc.
• While downloading an application, check the permission/s and access to your data it seeks, such as contacts, photographs, etc. Only give those permissions which are absolutely required to use the desired application.
Frauds using screen sharing app / Remote access
• Fraudsters trick the customer to download a screen-sharing app
• If your device faces any technical glitch and you need to download any screen sharing app, deactivate/log out of all payment-related apps from your device.
• Download such apps only when you are advised through the official Toll-free number of the company as appearing on its official website. Do not download such apps in case an executive of the company contacts you through his / her personal contact number.
• As soon as the work is completed, ensure that the screen-sharing app is removed from your device.
