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    Cyber awareness

    Cyber Awareness Hub

    New scam? New alert. Protect yourself with verified cyber updates: plain-language guides to the most common frauds, the red flags to watch for, and exactly what to do.

    Read the scam guides Posters & slideshow

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    01Know the scam

    How common frauds work

    Each guide explains the trick in one line, lists the red flags and gives the steps to take. Share them with family members who are new to UPI and smartphones.

    Guide 01

    Phishing links & fake KYC

    A message, email or call pretends to be your bank, a courier or an electricity board and pushes you to a link that steals your login, card details or OTP.

    Red flags

    • Urgent threats: “account blocked today”, “KYC expired”, “power cut tonight”
    • Links with odd spellings, shortened URLs or unknown domains
    • Asks for OTP, UPI PIN, card number, CVV or net-banking password
    • Asks you to install a screen-sharing or “support” app

    What to do

    1. 1Don’t click. Open your bank’s official app or website yourself.
    2. 2Call the number printed on your card or passbook to verify.
    3. 3If you entered details, call your bank and block the card or account at once.
    4. 4Change passwords and turn on two-step verification.

    Guide 02

    Investment & trading scams

    You are added to a “stock tips” or crypto group, shown fake profits on an app, and asked to keep investing more. Withdrawals are blocked with new “tax” or “fee” demands.

    Red flags

    • Guaranteed or very high returns in days or weeks
    • Trading app not on the official app store, or shared as an APK link
    • Group “mentors” and members who post screenshots of huge profits
    • Pay a fee or tax before you can withdraw your own money

    What to do

    1. 1Invest only through SEBI-registered brokers and official apps.
    2. 2Never pay to “unlock” a withdrawal. Stop all further payments.
    3. 3Save chats, app name, UPI IDs and bank account numbers used.
    4. 4Report on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in as early as possible.

    Guide 03

    Fake jobs & task scams

    An offer for easy part-time work: liking videos, rating hotels or “prepaid tasks”. Small payouts build trust, then you are asked to deposit larger amounts to continue.

    Red flags

    • Job offer you never applied for, on WhatsApp or Telegram
    • Pay a registration, training or “task” deposit to start earning
    • Earnings shown in an app or website that you can’t withdraw
    • Pressure to finish “combo tasks” quickly by paying more

    What to do

    1. 1A genuine employer never asks you to pay to get a job.
    2. 2Check the company on its official website and careers page.
    3. 3Stop paying immediately, even if you have “pending” earnings.
    4. 4Report the numbers, groups and payment IDs on 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in.

    Guide 04

    “Digital arrest” calls

    Callers pose as police, customs, a court or a central agency, claim your parcel, SIM or Aadhaar is linked to a crime, keep you on video call for hours and demand money to “clear your name”.

    Red flags

    • Video call from “officers” in uniform or a fake police-station backdrop
    • Told not to tell family, and to stay on the call
    • Threats of arrest unless you transfer money for “verification”
    • Fake notices, warrants or ID cards shared on WhatsApp

    What to do

    1. 1There is no such thing as a “digital arrest”. Disconnect the call.
    2. 2No agency asks you to transfer money to prove innocence.
    3. 3Talk to family and verify with your local police in person.
    4. 4Report the number on 1930 or the Chakshu facility on sancharsaathi.gov.in.

    Guide 05

    UPI & QR payment fraud

    A “buyer”, “refund desk” or “customer care” sends a collect request or QR code. Entering your UPI PIN or scanning the code sends money out of your account, not in.

    Red flags

    • Asked to scan a QR code or enter a PIN to receive money
    • Collect requests from unknown people or “refund” desks
    • Customer-care numbers found through search ads or social media
    • Someone “accidentally” sent money and asks you to return it

    What to do

    1. 1To receive money you never need to enter your UPI PIN or scan a QR.
    2. 2Decline unknown collect requests.
    3. 3Use customer care only from the official app or website.
    4. 4If money is debited, call 1930 immediately and inform your bank.

    Guide 06

    Instant loan app harassment

    An instant-loan app takes access to your contacts and photos, deducts heavy “fees”, and then threatens to message your contacts or share morphed images unless you pay more.

    Red flags

    • Loan approved in minutes without documents
    • App demands contacts, photos and SMS permissions
    • Repayment demanded within days, with huge charges
    • Abusive calls, threats and messages to your contacts

    What to do

    1. 1Borrow only from RBI-regulated banks and NBFCs.
    2. 2Don’t pay under threat. Save screenshots and call recordings.
    3. 3Revoke the app’s permissions and uninstall it.
    4. 4Report on cybercrime.gov.in and warn your contacts to ignore messages.

    Golden rules

    Six habits that stop most scams

    1. 01Never share OTP, UPI PIN, ATM PIN, CVV or passwords. Not with anyone.
    2. 02You never enter a PIN or scan a QR code to receive money.
    3. 03Police and agencies don’t arrest or question people over video calls.
    4. 04No genuine job asks you to pay to start working.
    5. 05Guaranteed high returns are a scam signal, every time.
    6. 06Verify through official apps, websites and numbers, never links in messages.

    02If it already happened

    Act fast, in this order

    Don’t feel embarrassed. Fraudsters target everyone. Quick reporting gives the best chance of stopping the money.

    Register a complaint Contact us
    1. 1Call 1930 immediatelyThe first hours matter most. The national helpline can ask banks to hold the money before it moves further.
    2. 2Report on cybercrime.gov.inFile a complaint on the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and note your acknowledgement number.
    3. 3Inform your bankBlock cards, UPI or net banking that may be exposed, and ask the bank to raise a fraud dispute.
    4. 4Save every piece of evidenceScreenshots, transaction IDs, UPI IDs, phone numbers, links and chats. Don’t delete the conversation.
    5. 5Secure your accountsChange passwords, sign out of other devices and turn on two-step verification.
    6. Need help organising your evidence and complaint? Digital Rakshak can guide you.Register a complaint

    03Resources

    Posters & slideshow

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