The festive season has begun and e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart have started offering huge discounts to lure customers. Unfortunately, this has also triggered a fear of digital scams as cybercriminals have silently launched fake platforms to dupe people.
To curb these digital frauds, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) along with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a detailed advisory explaining the types of frauds and how to prevent them. Let’s delve into the details:
These types of scams happening
Phishing Scam
Cybercriminals use to hack people’s User ID, password and personal details using fake email IDs and messages. They misuse this information after hacking.
Lottery and Price Scam
People are being duped on the pretext of a lottery and prizes. In this kind of fraud, people are asked to deposit a certain amount to win high-value prizes.
Manipulation Scam
Fraudsters are also duping people through fake dating profiles. In these kinds of scams, they emotionally manipulate people to extract money.
Job Scam
Many online platforms are also involved in digital frauds. They lure people by offering jobs at big companies. They post fake jobs on social media and whenever anybody asks for details they demand money. After receiving money they block the person or stop replying phone calls etc.
Tech Support Scam
Many times fraudsters contact people to provide technical support for their devices like – computers and laptops and steal data from them. Also, they ask for remote access for support and steal data only to misuse it.
Investment Scam
People are also being tricked in the name of high returns and financial benefits. In these scams, targets are asked to buy stocks.
Cash on Delivery Scam
Many fake online stores loot people by delivering the wrong products. They deliberately deliver the wrong products and take the money. But when the person gets to know about the product and requests for return, they just ignore it.
Money Transfer Scam
Many times fraudsters call people and say that they have mistakenly transferred an amount to their accounts and ask to return or face legal consequences.
Digital Arrest
Digital arrest is a new type of scam, in which perpetrators impersonate official authorities and ask for money for not suspecting targets. They do it through video calls.
NPCI Advisory
NPCI has issued an advisory cautioning people about the above scams and suggesting them to be aware while doing online shopping. The advisory suggests online shopping through trusted portals only and refrain from sharing personal information.
The NPCI has also asked people not to use public networks like Wi-Fi for online shopping. If they find anything wrong while doing online shopping they should flag the issue before the police or cyber cell.