8 Common Methods Used by Fraudsters to Digitally Con You!

We cannot stop digital fraud, but we can certainly save ourselves from such fraud. The solution is simple, we need to be aware of who and how one is communicating with us.

These digital frauds do not have any specific type, they are now experimented with and implemented in various ways.

A few of the ways through which frauds are done are-

• Fake messages that communicate that the banks require your ATM PIN, debit or credit card details, etc.
• Emails that contain suspicious links
• Messages that prompt users to download unauthorized applications
• Message alerts notifying that the user’s account has been credited, debited or blocked
• Notifications that say a user’s mobile data has been recharged

In this blog, we will help you understand the most common methods used by fraudsters to con users digitally and the right solution to safeguard against them.

What Are the Common Methods Used by Fraudsters to Fool Users?

The following methods are often used by fraudsters to fool users to pull money from their bank accounts. Fraudsters use the most genuine tone and aim at the user’s pain point (job opportunity, the amount credited, OTT platforms, etc.) that can make them trust the authenticity of the message.

Have a thorough understanding of these methods and get the easiest solution to save yourself from digital frauds-

1. Phishing links

Fraudsters fool users by creating third-party websites. These websites often seem real and genuine at first look but are actually connected to various fraudulent links. Such websites are presented similar to that of a bank’s website or an e-commerce platform. These websites are then shared with users through SMS, emails, instant messages, or social media platforms.

Solution:

• Ensure not to click on unnecessary or unknown links
• Delete SMSs, emails, etc., that redirect you to suspicious websites
• Avoid social media notifications or messages that ask you to click on fake, suspicious links

2. Unverified mobile applications

In such situations, fraudsters often ask people to click & download applications on the pretext of offering them rewards, cashback, lottery prizes, etc. Such messages are generally circulated in the form of SMS. These messages, in the beginning, seem genuine and persuade the user to click on such links.

Solution:

• It is recommended to never click on such links that prompt you to download any unverified/suspicious mobile applications
• Do not click on links that urge you to activate the screen share feature with unknown people

3. Online selling platforms

There are chances when fraudsters take the medium of online platforms. They pretend to be buyers on e-commerce platforms and show interest in your products. Once they gain your trust, they request money from you through different UPI applications instead of paying you for your product. Once you fall into the trap and share/enter your banking details, the fraudsters simply pull money from your bank account.

Solution:

• Don’t enter any password, PIN, or other account details to receive money from outsiders
• Opt for a genuine payment application like Paytm to receive or send money
• Connect with your bank in case you find any suspicious activity related to your bank account

4. Search engine information

There are situations where users use search engines to get the contact details of a product/ company/ bank/ Aadhaar card service center, etc. In such cases, instead of getting the original details, the user falls into the trap and ends up connecting with the unverified contact information displayed on the search engines. After contacting such numbers, which actually belong to fraudsters, users get trapped and share their card details, login credentials, and other banking details. Right when the user shares the information, fraudsters digitally pull the money from the user’s bank account.

Solution:

• It is advised that if you want to look for the contact details of any official or any other similar information, then you should head to authentic sites only
• Avoid looking for numbers and other details on random sites or pages
• Do not submit any banking information, bank card-related details, etc. anywhere on the web

5. Online job frauds

Fraudsters have adopted a new way of conning users. They save the banking details and information of the users by creating fake job portals. The victims of such frauds lend to such fake job websites and often end up providing their vital banking details like bank account number, PIN number, credit/debit card details, etc. to offer some commission in exchange for a job.

Solution: A company that makes genuine hires never asks for any kind of commission from the job seeker. Hence, ensure never to reveal any detail that includes banking information to anyone

6. Lottery frauds

Inviting people to claim their lottery amount is another way used by fraudsters to con users. They send emails, and messages and make calls to users to inform them about the lottery. Unaware users, on the other hand, provide their banking details, card details, etc. to the fraudsters in order to claim their lottery amount. In many cases, users even send a certain amount to a third party to receive the lottery prize. Fraudsters, then take the leverage of all the banking details and pull away all the amount saved in the bank account. The card details can also be used to perform various unauthorized or unknown transactions.

Solution:

• Avoid entertaining notification, SMS, calls, etc. regarding lottery money
• Never share the banking details with anyone online, either through email, SMS, messages, social media platforms, etc.
• Delete or report such emails to cybercrime numbers

7. QR scanning

Various methods to cheat users are ideally experimental and this time it’s the QR scanning. Fraudsters trick users on the pretext of scanning QR codes on various payment applications. Once the scanning is done, the fraudsters then digitally withdraw all the money from the user’s bank account.

Solution:

• Always scan the authentic QR code scanner like Paytm
• Cross-check the amount that needs to be paid, and the screen that reflects all the banking details of the merchant

8. Online dating sites

Fraudsters now trick users into joining unauthorized or fake online dating sites to gain their banking details. The invitations are often sent to the users through emails, messages, or social media platforms.

Solution:

• Do not join any random site or download any application without searching for it
• Do not reveal any banking details on any random sites and/or expose confidential information

What to do in case you fall into such traps?

It becomes easy for fraudsters to con users who are not digitally aware, do not have exposure to such frauds, or have never experienced them. A little awareness and responsible behavior can help one to avoid circumstances where confidential and banking information is being asked.

Following are the instructions that users should follow to safeguard themselves from the above-mentioned situations-

1. Do not revert to any SMSs, emails, or social media messages that you find odd
2. Never open or join links provided by unauthorized sources
3. Do not share personal information and banking details with anyone
4. Stay in the habit of avoiding entertaining people who do not seem genuine
5. Do not download any screen-sharing applications on your device
6. Develop the habit of checking all your recent transactions
7. Immediately connect with your bank in case you reveal any banking details unintentionally
8. Do not share your banking credentials with anyone over call, message, social media, email, etc.
9. Be aware that no authentic firm, company, bank, or any other organization will ask for a special favor that requires you to reveal your banking details. In case it happens, connect with your bank or write an online complaint by visiting https://cybercrime.gov.in/
10. You can also report the matter by dialling 155260 or visiting https://cms.rbi.org.in/ to file the complaint

How Paytm safeguards its user’s vital information?

Paytm is a brand that is trusted by millions of users. To keep the trust of millions of users intact, Paytm ensures to follow these measures carefully-

1. The Paytm application does not allow users to record the screen or take screenshots
2. Paytm application requires users to enable Paytm security shield to safeguard the user data
3. Users are also required to mandatorily enter the passcode or use a fingerprint to access the Paytm application
4. Users can contact Paytm by visiting the Contact Us 24*7 section on the application via http://m.p-y.tm/care

Common methods used by fraudsters

How to Make an Online Complaint