• Protect your personal information: Avoid sharing personal (DOB, PAN card details, KYC details, etc.) and confidential banking information (like Password, MPIN, OTP, Debit or Credit Card details, etc.) with anyone via email, phone, social media or text message.

• Verify contacts: Verify the identity of the person or organisation before sharing any information. Visit only official websites for getting helpline / customer care numbers.

• Use strong passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for online banking, social media, and other websites and change them periodically. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.

• Enable Two Factor Authentication: Use 2FA wherever possible for an extra layer of security.

• Monitor Accounts:Regularly review your bank statements and set up transaction alerts for any unauthorised transaction.

• Beware of Phishing: Refrain from clicking unsolicited links sent via emails, text, WhatsApp messages or social media or from downloading third party application from unidentified sources.

• Secure Wi-Fi: Use secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks when conducting online banking. Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.

• Keep software updated: Ensure your devices, browser and banking apps are up to date with latest security patches. Install trusted and verified anti-virus software.

• Don’t overshare on social media: Avoid sharing too much personal information on social media platforms.

• Report suspicious activity: Report unauthorised transactions to your bank and the National Cyber Crime Helpline by calling 1930.

• Always use authorised banking channel: Use authorised banking channel for payments or settlement of loans / Credit Card

• Sharing confidential personal or financial information over a call or

• Clicking unsolicited links to fake websites or apps shared via emails, text message, WhatsApp messages or social media platforms or

• Downloading remote/screen sharing applications or

• Sharing personal or confidential financial information over call

Recently there has been a sporadic increase in phishing and vishing attacks by fraudsters. Here is your guide to these recent cyber scams that fraudsters are using to target general public.

• Credit Card Scams: Credit Card Activation or Upgrade or Deactivation or Limit Enhancement or providing additional Reward points or redemption of these points or Partial payment of Credit Card dues in lieu of incentives, etc.

• Money Mule Scam: Asking you to receive money in your bank account and transfer it to someone else in exchange of monetary incentive. This is called a Money Mule Scam.

• KYC / PAN Upgrade Scam: Threatening blockage of funds or bank account and asking to update your KYC or PAN card through the provided link.

• Impersonation Scam:Fraudsters approach the customers through phone call from random mobile numbers impersonating themselves as representatives of an organisation (Banks, Government Authorities, Reputed Companies).

• Tech Support Scam: Impersonating tech support staff from reputed companies and seeking confidential information or asking you to download third party applications.

• Call Spoofing: Spoofing legitimate toll-free or customer care numbers or similar phone numbers to extract confidential information.

• E-Challan Scam: Asking you to settle your traffic dues / E-Challan through the provided link.

• Courier Delivery Scam: Fraudsters masquerade as delivery agents arrive at your doorstep requesting an OTP to handover your package or cancel the unrequested delivery package.

• Address Verification Scam: Impersonating E-Commerce companies’ representatives and asking you to verify your address through provided link.

• APK File Scam: Sharing APK File for downloading banking application or resetting Internet Banking or Mobile Banking User ID and password.

• Job Scams: Fraudulent job offers paying high returns with negligible qualification and asking for upfront payment for training, background verification etc.

• Investment Scams: Providing ‘Limited time opportunity’ to invest in Ponzi schemes or investment schemes providing unusually high returns on minimal investment.

• Electricity Bill Scam: Threatening to disconnect your power connection if you fail to settle your electricity bill through provided payment link or calling a particular number.

• Gift / Lottery Scam: Providing one-time gift or lottery winnings in exchange of verifying certain information or payment of minimal amount up front to claim the winnings.

• Pharming: Redirecting internet users trying to reach a specific website to a different fake site. This is known as Pharming.

• Fake Loan Apps: Providing either high-interest paperless loans instantly or interest free / low interest loans without any verification, in exchange of one-time fee payment or high processing charges, etc.