As the use of internet and digital transactions is increasing rapidly in India, the web of cyber crimes is also spreading at the same pace. New cyber scams are coming to light every day, due to which countless people are falling prey to fraud. In this digital age, your online security has become more important than ever. Here we will tell you about the five most common cyber fraud methods happening in the country, identifying and avoiding which has become an important challenge in today's time.
This scam works in a very sinister way. Fraudsters start with a call or message in which they claim to be from the police, income tax or customs department. They tell you that your PAN or Aadhaar has been misused, such as for money laundering or drug purchases. Then, they force you to stay on a video call and ask you for money during this time. Many people fall for these fraudsters without thinking due to fear. The best way to avoid this is not to panic on any unknown call and disconnect it immediately.
In this scam, the thugs make a video call to you on WhatsApp from an unknown number. On picking up the call, you are shown an obscene video or a girl pretends to talk. These thugs record the entire call and then edit the video and threaten you that they will make it viral on social media. In return, they ask for money. To avoid such scams, immediately cut any unknown video call and block that number.
UPI scam is one of the fastest spreading cyber crimes. In this, thugs send you fake QR codes or make you download fake apps. Many times these people pretend to be bank officials and ask for UPI PIN or OTP and empty your bank account in no time. This scam has become so common that thousands of people are falling prey to it every day. The best way to avoid UPI fraud is not to scan any unknown QR code and never share banking information over the phone.
This scam targets people who shop online in search of cheap products. Huge discounts are claimed through fake e-commerce websites and social media pages, but when people order, they either get a bad product or nothing at all. To avoid such frauds, shop only from trusted websites and stay away from any suspicious website.
In a phishing scam, thugs trap you through fake emails, messages or websites, which look exactly like a real bank or government institution. After clicking on these emails or websites, you are asked for your personal information, such as bank account number, password or credit card details. People trust them and share their information, which later leads to fraud. To avoid phishing, do not click on any suspicious email or message and share your personal information only on secure and certified websites.
To avoid these five cyber scams, the most important thing is to be aware. Do not trust any unknown call, message, email, or website and always keep your personal information safe.
