Scammers use phone calls to trick us into sharing personal information or making payments by creating panic or playing on our emotions. But don’t worry—once you know how these scams work, you’ll be much better prepared to spot and avoid them. Let’s walk through some simple steps that can keep you safe!
1. How Scammers Play with Your Emotions
Scammers may pretend to be someone important—like a bank manager, a police officer, or even a relative in trouble. They might say panic or emotional things to you, like:
- “Your bank account will be frozen unless you act now!”
- “I’m calling from the Income Tax Department—you need to pay a fine right away!”
- “This is your cousin—I’m in trouble and need money urgently.”
Example: You are getting a call from someone claiming to be your cousin, saying they’ve been in an accident and need money urgently for hospital fees. Before you panic and send money, pause. This is a common scam tactic.
What to do: Always be suspicious of calls that create panic or urgency. You should stay calm, and don’t rush into any decisions.
2. Never Share Personal Information
This is a big one! Scammers might ask for your Aadhaar number, PAN, bank account details, or even your OTP (one-time password). Always remember: Never share personal or financial information over the phone, especially if you didn’t make the call.
Example: You receive a call that claims, “We’re calling from your bank. Please confirm your account number and OTP to prevent your account from being blocked.” Legit banks will never ask for your OTP or account details over a phone call.
What to do: Hang up immediately! If you’re worried about your bank account, call your bank’s customer care directly (using the number on their official website or your bank statement) and ask if there’s an issue.
3. Always Verify Before Acting
If someone calls you with a warning or urgent message, don’t act immediately. Verify first! Whether they claim to be from your bank, your mobile provider, or even the government, always double-check by calling them back on an official number.
Example: A scammer might say, “Your electricity bill hasn’t been paid, and we’re cutting off your power unless you pay immediately.” Before you panic, call your electricity provider’s customer care number (which you can find on your bill) and ask if there’s a problem.
What to do: Don’t trust numbers given to you by the caller. You should find the official customer care number yourself from the official website and call to verify.
4. Take Your Time—Don’t Rush
Scammers try to create a sense of urgency, hoping you’ll act without thinking. If someone demands that you transfer money or share personal details immediately, that’s a red flag!
Example: A caller tells you, “You have only 10 minutes to transfer ₹50,000, or your bank account will be locked!” Legit organizations won’t pressure you like this.
What to do: Take a deep breath and don’t rush. If it’s real, you’ll have time to verify the issue and handle it properly. Scammers rely on making you panic—don’t fall for it!
5. Use Call-Blocking Apps and Services
To reduce unwanted calls, you should activate Do Not Disturb (DND) through your mobile provider. You can also use apps like Truecaller, which can identify and block potential scam callers.
- How to activate DND: You can register for DND by sending an SMS with “START 0” to 1909. This will block promotional calls and many scam calls.
- Truecaller: This app shows you who’s calling, even if they aren’t in your contact list, and can automatically block known scam callers. It’s a helpful tool for spotting suspicious calls.
6. Report Fraudulent Calls
If you suspect you’ve received a scam call, report it! You can file a report with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in, or if it’s a financial scam, you can call 1930 (the national helpline for cyber frauds).
What to do: Reporting scams helps protect others from falling victim. Don’t hesitate to report suspicious calls—it makes a big difference!
7. Teach Your Family and Elders
Scammers mostly target the elderly, as they may be less familiar with digital scams. Take time to explain these risks to your parents, grandparents, and others in your family. You should make sure they know that they should never share personal information or make payments based on phone calls.
Example: Scammers may call elderly people pretending to be from their pension office, asking for account details to “process” their pension. Your family members should know that such calls are likely scams.
You should follow these instructions and precautions to protect yourself and your family from call frauds and emotional scams. Remember, staying calm and taking time to verify can save you from falling victim to these tricks.
Stay safe and spread the word to help others too!
Cybersecurity Team, Complaint Hub
Question: If someone calls you saying your electricity will be cut off unless you pay a fine immediately, what’s the first thing you should do?
- A) Pay the fine as quickly as possible to avoid the power cut.
- B) Hang up and call your electricity provider’s customer care number to verify.
- C) Ask for their ID proof before making the payment.