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Scam alerts

Scam alerts and cyber safety

How current scams in India work, the warning signs, and what to do. Report fraud on 1930 as soon as you can.

Phone and call scams

Courier parcel and fake police

A caller says a parcel in your name contains drugs or fake documents, then transfers you to a fake police or CBI officer who demands money to avoid arrest.

What to doHang up. Police do not settle cases by phone or video call. Do not pay. Report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Fake telecom disconnection call

A caller claims to be from the telecom regulator and says your number will be disconnected within hours unless you press a key or share Aadhaar details.

What to doIgnore it. The regulator does not call individuals to disconnect numbers. Check your operator's official app instead.

Relative in an accident

A caller says a family member is in hospital and demands money at once, often using a voice you half recognise.

What to doCall the relative on their own number before sending anything. Agree a family code word for real emergencies.

Online and UPI scams

UPI collect request

Someone sends a payment request and says it is a refund. You enter your PIN and money leaves your account.

What to doA UPI PIN is only for sending money. Decline every unexpected request. Details in our guide on the UPI collect request scam.

Part-time job and task scams

Messages on WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram offer money for liking videos or rating products. Small payouts build trust, then they ask for deposits.

What to doNo genuine job asks you to pay first. Stop, block and report.

Sextortion

A new online friend moves to video, records you, and threatens to send it to your contacts unless you pay.

What to doDo not pay, because demands continue. Stop contact, keep evidence, call 1930, and use StopNCII.org to help block intimate images from spreading.

Fake investment groups

WhatsApp or Telegram groups promise very high guaranteed returns and show fake profit screenshots. Withdrawals are blocked until you pay more fees.

What to doNo legitimate investment guarantees fixed high returns. Check that an adviser or broker is registered on sebi.gov.in before investing.

Fake sellers and QR code tricks

A buyer or seller on a resale site asks for advance payment or tells you to scan a QR code to receive money.

What to doNever pay in advance for items you have not seen. Scanning a QR code sends money, it never receives it.

Social media scams

Fake platform support

An account claiming to be Instagram or Facebook support says your page will be removed and sends a link to appeal.

What to doPlatforms do not send appeals through direct messages. Turn on two-factor authentication and check Security emails in your account settings.

OTP request from a 'friend'

Someone says they sent you an OTP by mistake and asks you to read it out. The code is for your own account or payment.

What to doNever share an OTP with anyone for any reason.

Government and bank impersonation

Fake income tax notice

A call or message says you owe tax and will be arrested unless you pay immediately.

What to doThe Income Tax Department does not demand payment by phone to avoid arrest. Check notices after logging in at incometax.gov.in, or call 1800 103 0025.

KYC or Aadhaar update link

An SMS says your bank account or SIM will be blocked unless you update KYC through a link.

What to doDo KYC only at your bank branch or official app. Do not click links in SMS.

Basic safety rules

Six habits that stop most attacks.

Passwords

Use a different password of 12 or more characters for each account. A password manager helps. Turn on two-step verification, preferably with an authenticator app.

Mobile phone

Install apps only from the official store. Keep the phone updated. Do not grant accessibility or screen sharing permission to apps you do not fully trust.

Money

Set daily transaction limits. Turn on SMS alerts. Use a separate account with a small balance for UPI.

Email and messages

Check the sender address, not just the display name. Do not open unexpected attachments or links, even from known contacts.

Social media

Keep profiles private if you can. Do not post your address, workplace or travel plans. Think before accepting requests from strangers.

If you are scammed

Call 1930 straight away. File at cybercrime.gov.in. Tell your bank. Save screenshots, numbers and transaction IDs. Do not delete chats.