Digital fraud is a real threat.
Every day, thousands across India lose money to scams. But the good news is, protecting yourself is simple. No special training or advanced tech required, just follow these four simple steps:
Frauds you need to be aware of
Stay alert and learn how to recognise scams before it's too late. Here's how fraudsters operate and how you can protect yourself.
Police Impersonation Scam
You receive a call claiming to be from the police, saying your account is linked to a crime. They may show a fake ID and demand payment.
Red Flags: Unknown caller, urgent payment request.
Customs or Parcel Fraud
You get a call about a parcel with cash or valuables, but they ask you to pay a fee to release it.
Red Flags: Mention of parcels from abroad, urgent payment request.
Emergency Family Scam
A stranger calls claiming a family member is in an emergency abroad and demands immediate funds.
Red Flags: Panic-inducing claims of family emergencies.
Mistaken Refund Scam
A fraudster claims they accidentally transferred money to your account and asks for it back.
Red Flags: Fake proof of transfer, requests for PIN or OTP.
Airline Ticket Scam
You get a call from a “helpline” offering cheap tickets, but they ask for your card details before canceling the booking.
Red Flags: Personal mobile nos., payment to private accounts.
Investment Scam
A contact suggests an unregulated crypto investment, asking for repeated transfer.
Red Flags: Unofficial platforms, pressure to invest more.
Part-time Job Scam
You get a message offering money for simple tasks like liking videos or giving reviews. Later, they demand fees to unlock your earnings.
Red Flags: Job offers through chat apps, links to unknown websites.
Investment or Trading Scam
You're added to a trading group, shown fake profits, and asked to install an app or upload your PAN or Aadhaar.
Red Flags: Random addition to groups, apps or sites.
KYC Update Fraud
You receive an SMS or email claiming your account will be blocked unless you update your KYC details.
Red Flags: Urgent message with a link, asking for password or PIN.
Deepfake Investment Scam
You see a social media video of a famous person promoting an investment, but it's a fake using Al.
Red Flags: Celebrity promoting schemes, link to unknown sites.
Insurance Claim Fraud
A scammer offers you a fake insurance policy and asks for your account or ID details to process a claim.
Red Flags: Asking for banking info for claims, pressure to act quickly.
Fake Recruitment Scam
You're offered a job and asked to provide your bank details for salary credit. Later, they demand a registration or training fee.
Red Flags: Job requires payment, salary details asked upfront.
B2B Supplier Advance Scam
A new supplier asks for an advance payment for materials but never delivers.
Red Flags: Remote location, multiple accounts for payments.
Impersonation Call Scam
You receive a message from a profile pretending to be a friend or government officer asking for money.
Red Flags: Urgent money requests from friends online, new profiles.
Crypto via Acquaintance Scam
An online contact tries to get you to invest in crypto through unregulated platforms, pressuring you to keep transferring money.
Red Flags: Investment outside bank platforms, time pressure.
Become a Digital Self-Defence Master
Ready to test your knowledge? Take the quiz now and become a certified Digital Self-Defence Master!
By completing this quiz, you'll gain the skills to protect yourself and help others stay safe in the digital world. Your commitment to digital security will not only empower you but also make the digital space safer for everyone.
Click below to get started and take the first step towards mastering your digital self-defence!
