In an era where digital transactions are commonplace, a troubling rise in online scams is leaving many young adults vulnerable. Recent stories shared with The Better India reveal just how sophisticated these scams can be, highlighting that no one is truly immune.
Take Jibin Joseph’s experience: during his first to deposit a cheque, he received a call claiming his debit card was blocked. Overwhelmed, he shared some personal details but stopped short of giving his CVV, leading the scammer to hang up.
In a later incident, Jibin received another sketchy call about a money laundering case linked to his number. Sensing something was off, he began recording the conversation, which quickly made the scammer backtrack.
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Ishita Das faced a similar situation when a caller pretended to be a colleague of her father. Claiming urgent financial trouble, he convinced her to share her bank details. Only when she attempted to verify with her father did she realise it was a scam.
Arunava Banerjee also encountered a scammer claiming a parcel linked to him was intercepted for drugs. Recognising the name of a supposed police officer as fraudulent, he quickly shut down the conversation.
While Jibin, Ishita, and Arunava were lucky to understand the cunning tactics in time, several others continue to fall prey to such scammers.
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Between January and April 2024, Indian citizens reported losses exceeding Rs 1,750 crore from cybercrime, with over 7,40,000 complaints filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Never transfer money under pressure. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not pressure you into sending money immediately
These accounts emphasise the need for vigilance in an increasingly . Scammers are using personal information and urgency to manipulate their targets. To help keep citizens safe from online scams, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team India) has shared several key practices and recommendations for safer online practices.
Be aware of scamming tactics. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial to protect yourself from this emerging cyber threat. By being aware of the tactics used by scammers and taking necessary precautions, you can minimise your risk of falling victim to online scams.
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If you suspect you’ve been targeted by any online scam and you gave sensitive information, don’t panic. Reset your credentials on sites you’ve used and then report it to the police and cybercrime authorities immediately.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
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Take Jibin Joseph’s experience: during his first to deposit a cheque, he received a call claiming his debit card was blocked. Overwhelmed, he shared some personal details but stopped short of giving his CVV, leading the scammer to hang up.
In a later incident, Jibin received another sketchy call about a money laundering case linked to his number. Sensing something was off, he began recording the conversation, which quickly made the scammer backtrack.
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Ishita Das faced a similar situation when a caller pretended to be a colleague of her father. Claiming urgent financial trouble, he convinced her to share her bank details. Only when she attempted to verify with her father did she realise it was a scam.
Arunava Banerjee also encountered a scammer claiming a parcel linked to him was intercepted for drugs. Recognising the name of a supposed police officer as fraudulent, he quickly shut down the conversation.
While Jibin, Ishita, and Arunava were lucky to understand the cunning tactics in time, several others continue to fall prey to such scammers.
Advertisement
Between January and April 2024, Indian citizens reported losses exceeding Rs 1,750 crore from cybercrime, with over 7,40,000 complaints filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Never transfer money under pressure. Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not pressure you into sending money immediately
These accounts emphasise the need for vigilance in an increasingly . Scammers are using personal information and urgency to manipulate their targets. To help keep citizens safe from online scams, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team India) has shared several key practices and recommendations for safer online practices.
Essential practices to avoid online scams
- Verify the caller’s identity. If someone claims to be from a law enforcement agency, do not engage over video calls or transfer money. Government agencies do not use platforms like WhatsApp or Skype for official communication. Verify their identity by directly contacting the relevant agency.
- Do not panic, as scammers use fear and urgency to manipulate victims. Take a moment to assess the situation calmly before responding.
- Avoid sharing personal information. Never disclose sensitive personal or financial details over the phone or video calls, especially to unknown numbers.
- Never install remote access software on your device for anyone. This software gives individuals complete control over your devices, creating a significant security risk.
- Do not transfer money under pressure. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never pressure you into sending money immediately. If someone demands money over the phone or online, it’s most likely a scam.
- Avoid clicking on links or attachments from unknown senders. Instead, enter the organisation’s URL directly in your browser or use bookmarks. Always verify the legitimacy of the links and emails. For example, check for spelling and grammatical errors in the URL, or whether the sender is trustworthy.
- Carefully consider before providing personal information to any person or organisation. If the website does not use HTTPS for encryption, please be careful and do not provide sensitive information.
- Do not install apps shared by unknown individuals. Download apps only from official app stores to avoid malware.
- Do not share your device with strangers.
- Verify call forwarding and mobile settings in case you accidentally share your device with strangers.
- If you experience a sudden loss of service, report it immediately to your provider, as it may indicate a SIM swap attempt.
- Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised transactions.
- Never pay for . Verify job postings and companies before applying or providing personal data.
- Verify requests for urgent money transfers by calling your relatives/friends directly.
- Always remember, you don’t need a UPI PIN or OTP to receive money.
- Verify the sender’s banking name before making payments using QR codes.
- Carefully review the loan terms, including interest rates and fees. Be wary of apps that use vague or confusing language.
- Always use genuine and up-to-date software.
Be aware of scamming tactics. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial to protect yourself from this emerging cyber threat. By being aware of the tactics used by scammers and taking necessary precautions, you can minimise your risk of falling victim to online scams.
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If you suspect you’ve been targeted by any online scam and you gave sensitive information, don’t panic. Reset your credentials on sites you’ve used and then report it to the police and cybercrime authorities immediately.
Sources:
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
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