Skip to main content

What is UPI scam and how to keep yourself safe?

UPI Scam: UPI payment method is widely used nowadays, but scams related to UPI have also risen significantly. Here's how you can keep yourself safe from these frauds.

After the introduction of UPI or the Unified Payments Interface, digital payments have significantly risen in the last few years. People are using more and more digital payments app such as Google Pay, Phonepe, Paytm, BHIM etc. for digital transactions. In addition to this, banks are also providing their customers with net banking and wallet service facilities. 
During the nationwide lockdown, UPI payment method is widely used as everyone can easily pay through this payment method. The number of users paying with UPI has crossed 100 million. However, this has given rise to the UPI scams. New tactics are being adopted by the fraudsters for looting money digitally. Therefore, it is advised to stay alert and protect yourself from these frauds.
Banks send alerts via e-mails and SMS
All the public and private sector banks alert their customers from time to time through e-mail and SMS to avoid fraud. This alert consists of tips which advise the customers to not share their OTP, bank details, card details (CVV, card number, etc.) with the third person. It must be noted that banks never ask for any data related to the bank account of their customers. 
Fraudsters ask for details
Fraudsters ask for bank details (account number, IFSC etc.), debit card details and other details related to your bank account in the name of bank executives. They either ask for OTP or UPI registration details through which they manage to create a virtual payment address (VPA). Once all the details are provided to them, they loot your hard-earned money. 
How to avoid fraud?
1- Never share important details like debit card number, expiry date, registration, OTP with anyone. Many a time, the caller asks you these details in the name of bank executive stating that your card will be blocked. Do NOT fall for these types of calls. 
2- All the banks have made it clear that they do not ask any such details from their customers as the bank already has these details. 
3- Do not click on any unofficial link from the SMS. Also, do not forward any such SMS.
4- UPI MPIN should not be shared with anyone. MPIN is the one which you enter in the UPI app to check your balance. 
5- Apart from banks, SMS can also come in the name of IRDAI and EPFO. However, they also do not send any such message.
6- Subscribers do not have to share the details of their bank account.
Thus, to avoid scams, do not share the details related to your bank account, debit card, etc. to anyone. It is also advised to not download any app or confirm payment from unknown accounts via UPI. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

GK Questions and Answers: Geographical Indications (GI) Tags in India

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products like agriculture, machinery products, and sweets, etc. which relates to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., region, or country or a town). We have published a set of 10 important GK questions and answers on the Geographical Indications (GI) Tags in India. This set of 10 important GK questions and answers on the Geographical Indications (GI) Tags in India is very important for exams like UPSC/PSC/SSC/CDS etc. 1. Which was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag? (a).Aranmula Kannadi (b).Darjeeling Tea (c).Katarni Rice (d).Madhubani Paintings Answer:- b Explanation:-  Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag in 2004.  2. How many products got GI tags till now? (a) 361 (b) 729 (c) 624 (d) None of the above Answer:- a Explanation:-  Till date 361 products have been issued GI tag. The latest recipient of the GI ta...

List of Top investors in Reliance Jio

Reliance Jio the digital platform has sold around 25% stake to different investors to get rid of the debt of the company by March 2021. Facebook is the biggest investor that has purchased a 10% stake in the Jio Platform. The Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was established by Ambani’s father, Dhirubhai Ambani in Maharashtra on 8 May 1973. Now Mukesh Ambani is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited.  Mukesh is Asia’s richest and world 7th richest man. The RIL has sold 25% of the Jio Platforms stake to become a debt-free company by March 2021. At a time the company had a debt of Rs. 2.17 lakh crore but now it is having a debt of Rs. 21,900 crore. It is expected that the Jio might sell its stake to more companies like Google and other global giants. As of now the Reliance Jio the telecom and digital arm of RIL has raised $15.2 billion in 13 deals over two months. The Analysts predict the Jio could debut at a valuation of $100 billion within ...

List of 14 famous Indian personalities who have tested positive for Coronavirus

The global pandemic has now infected 18,03,696 people in India and has so far claimed 38,135 lives, as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In this article, we have listed famous Indian personalities who have been diagnosed with the virus. Amid the surging COVID-19 cases in India with a single-day spike of 52,972 positive cases and 771 deaths in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 tally has reached to 18,03,696 with 5,79,357 active COVID-9 cases and 38,135 deaths as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (at the time of writing this article). The deadly virus has not spared anyone-- rich, poor, aged, young, male, female, etc. Here's a list of famous Indians who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. 1- Amit Shah:  On August 2, 2020, Union Home Minister of India, Amit Shah, took to Twitter to reveal that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is admitted in a hospital in Delhi.  2- SS Rajamouli:  On July 29, 2020, notable Indian filmmaker and his family have tested p...