SAFE BANKING
KEEP YOURSELF SAFE WHILE USING BANK SERVICES
REMEMBER : 1930-National Cyber Crime Reporting Helpline
If you are a victim of any cyber fraud and lose money to the on-line scamsters , Remember to call 1930 as soon as you notice the loss . Early reporting helps recovery of the money siphoned off .
1930 is a dedicated helpline number in India for reporting cybercrimes. This service is provided by the Government of India to facilitate victims and complainants to report cybercrime complaints online.
Key Features of the 1930 Helpline:
24/7 Availability: You can call this number anytime, day or night.
Direct Reporting: Victims can directly report online crimes, including financial frauds.
Tracking Progress: You can track the investigation progress of your complaint.
Special Focus: The helpline caters to complaints pertaining to cybercrimes, with a particular focus on cybercrimes against women and children.
Types of Cybercrimes Reported:
Online financial scams
Phishing attacks
Identity theft
Sextortion
Child sexual abuse material
Cyberstalking
Hacking
How to Report:
Dial 1930: Simply call the helpline number from your phone.
Provide Details: You will be asked to provide information about the cybercrime you have faced, including details of the incident, the perpetrator (if known), and any evidence you have.
Register Complaint: The helpline operator will register your complaint and provide you with a reference number for tracking purposes.
Additional Information:
Online Portal: Apart from the helpline, you can also report cybercrimes through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal:
State-Level Helplines: Some states in India may have their own specific cybercrime helplines or reporting mechanisms.
By using the 1930 helpline or the online portal, you can help combat cybercrime and protect yourself and others from online threats.
WHETHER CALLING 1930 GUARANTEES RECOVERY OF LOST MONEY ?
Calling 1930 and reporting fraud can be helpful in recovering lost money, but it's not guaranteed. The success of recovery often depends on several factors, including:
Timeliness of Reporting: The sooner you report the fraud, the better the chances of recovering your funds.
Nature of the Fraud: Some types of fraud are easier to track and recover funds from than others.
Evidence: Providing as much evidence as possible, such as transaction details, communication records, and any other relevant information, can strengthen your case.
Cooperation from Financial Institutions: The cooperation of banks, payment providers, and other financial institutions involved in the transaction can also play a significant role.
Here's how reporting fraud to 1930 can potentially help:
Investigation: The authorities will investigate the fraud and gather information to identify the perpetrators.
Freezing Assets: In some cases, the authorities may be able to freeze the assets of the fraudsters, preventing them from further using the stolen funds.
Recovery: If the authorities are able to recover the funds, they may be able to return them to the victims.
It's important to note that the recovery process can take time, and there's no guarantee of a successful outcome. However, reporting fraud to 1930 is a crucial step in combating cybercrime and protecting others from falling victim to similar scams.
RBI CAUTIONS AGAINST USE OF TALKCHARGE WALLET :
USE AUTHORIZED PLATFORMS ONLY
Dated 26.04.2024 : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had noticed that TalkCharge Technologies Pvt. Ltd, is issuing Prepaid Payment Instruments (Wallets) through its website and app (application) ‘TalkCharge’ without authorisation . RBI had asked the company to stop issuance and operation of its Prepaid Payment Instruments or Wallets and refund the balances held in the wallets.
Now RBI has urged the public to exercise utmost caution while using websites / application/s, and parting with their money to any such unauthorised entity like Talkcharge. Public are advised to verify and satisfy themselves that such a website / application is authorised to carry out the activity it performs. The list of authorised payment system providers / authorised payment system operators are displayed on RBI website at https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=12043.
To read RBI PRESS RELEASE , CLICK HERE
NATIONAL CYBERCRIME REPORTING PORTAL :
Dated 21.09.2022 : If you unfortunately become a victim of financial cybercrime like Debit card / credit card misuse , OTP Fraud or on-line banking frauds , or any other cyber crime like social media , cryptocurrency fraud , ransomware , hacking , phishing etc , you can now register your complaint on the portal of Home Ministry , Government of India called " National Cyber Crime Portal " . You can also call helpline number 1930 for the purpose of registering your complaint .
A complaint can be lodged on a financial fraud happened anywhere in India . A foreigner also can complain if crime has happened in India or perpetuator is Indian . Initially you have to register your name and a Indian mobile number in the portal . You will receive a OTP . On entering the OTP , you will be able to file the complaint . OTP will be valid for 30 minutes . Once your complaint is registered , you will get confirmation message in the portal itself .
While complaining , keep evidences like credit card receipt , bank statement , brochure , pamphlet , copy of e-mail , URL of fraudulent website , chat transcripts / voice recordings , suspect mobile number and any other evidence you would like to furnish .
You can also register a complaint on women / child related crimes on the same portal .
RBI issues Alert List against Unauthorized FX Dealers :
LATEST RBI ALERT LIST OF UNAUTHORIZED FX DEALERS
Dated 25.11.2023 : Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has come out with an added Alert List that contains names of entities which are neither authorised to deal in forex under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) nor authorised to operate electronic trading platform (ETP) for forex transactions under the Electronic Trading Platforms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018. This list is not exhaustive and is based on what was known to RBI at the time of publication. An entity not appearing in the list should not be assumed to be authorised by the RBI. The authorisation status of any person / ETP can be ascertained from the list of authorised persons and authorised ETPs. The list of such added entities which are not authorized to deal in FX TRANSACTIONS is given below :
1Admiral Market https://admiralmarkets.com
2BlackBull https://blackbull.com
3Easy Markets https://www.easymarkets.com
4Enclave FX https://enclavefx.com
5Finowiz Fintech Limited https://finowiz.com
6FX SmartBull https://www.fxsmartbull.com
7Fx Tray Market https://www.fxtray.com
8Forex4you https://www.forex4you.com
9GoDo FX https://www.godofx.com
10Growing Capital Services Ltd. https://www.growingcapital.uk
11HF Markets https://www.hfm.com
12HYCM Capital Markets https://hycm.com
13JGCFX https://jgcfx.com
14Just Markets https://justmarkets.com
15PU Prime https://in.puprime.com
16Real Gold Capital Ltd . https://www.realgoldcapitals.com
17TNFX https://tnfx.co
18Ya Markets https://www.yamarkets.com
19Gate Trade Mobile Application
WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE A VICTIM OF BANK FRAUD :
Dated 08.03.2022 : Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has come out with a set of simple actions you have to take in case you are victim of credit / debit card fraud through phishing , vishing or by any other mode . The action plan suggested by RBI in their new booklet published recently is
1. Block not only the debit card / credit card but also freeze the debit in the bank account linked to the card by visiting your branch or calling the official customer care number available on the bank’s website. Also, check and ensure the safety of other banking channels such as Net banking, Mobile banking etc., to prevent perpetuation of the fraud once the debit/ credit cards, etc., are blocked following a fraud.
2. Dial helpline number 155260 or 1930 or report the incident on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
3. Reset Mobile: Use (Setting-Reset-Factory Data) to reset mobile if a fraud has occurred due to a data leak from mobile
RBI has also come out with detailed list of precautions to safeguard yourself in the internet banking transactions , debit card / credit card usage online or at a retailer . Some of the suggestions are
Precautions related to Debit / Credit cards
1. You should deactivate various features of credit / debit card, viz., online transactions both for domestic and international transactions, in case you are not going to use the card for a while and activate the same only when the card usage is required.
2. Similarly, Near Field Communication (NFC) feature should be deactivated, if the card is not to be used.
3. Before entering PIN at any Point of Sale (POS) site or while using the card at an NFC reader, you must carefully check the amount displayed on the POS machine screen and NFC reader
4. Never let the merchant take the card away from your sight for swiping while making a transaction.
5. Cover the keypad with your other hand while entering the PIN at a POS site / ATM.
For E-mail account security
➢ Do not click on links sent through emails from unknown addresses / names.
➢ Avoid opening emails on public or free networks.
➢ Do not store secure credentials / bank passwords, etc., in emails
For password security
1. Use a combination of alphanumeric and special characters in your password.
2. Keep two factor authentication for all your accounts, if such facility is available.
3. Change your passwords periodically.
4. Avoid having you date of birth, spouse name, car number etc. as passwords.
To go through the RBI Booklet " BE(A)WARE – A Booklet on Modus Operandi of Financial Frauds " , CLICK HERE
RBI CAUTIONS BANK CUSTOMERS AGAINST CYBER THREATS AND FRAUDS
Dated 29.01.2022 : Everyday we see fraudsters taking new avatars to fool public and extract their banking details so as to enable them syphon of their bank customers . Such fraudulent messages come in many guises . Some times as income tax refund messages and some times as covid vaccine messages . Main purpose is to extract confidential details like user id, login / transaction password, OTP (one time password), debit / credit card details such as PIN, CVV, expiry date and other personal information. Recently there was anews report that even a bank manager was a victim . in another case a police official was victim . Hence it becomes imperative for us to be cautious while dealing with fradsters in phone or email .
Now in response to such news and report , Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has come out with details caution circular .
RBI has listed some of the frauds that takes place like
Vishing - phone calls pretending to be from bank / non-bank e-wallet providers / telecom service providers in order to lure customers into sharing confidential details in the pretext of KYC-updation, unblocking of account / SIM-card, crediting debited amount, etc.
Phishing - spoofed emails and / or SMSs designed to dupe customers into thinking that the communication has originated from their bank / e-wallet provider and contain links to extract confidential details.
Remote Access - by luring customer to download an application on their mobile phone / computer which is able to access all the customers’ data on that customer device.
Misuse the ‘collect request’ feature of UPI by sending fake payment requests with messages like ‘Enter your UPI PIN’ to receive money.
Fake numbers of banks / e-wallet providers on webpages / social media and displayed by search engines, etc.
It has also come out with general advise about the safe banking practices to be adopted by the public which is as follows :
RBI'S prescription on Safe Digital Banking practices :
SAFE DIGITAL BANKING PRACTICES
Never share your account details such as account number, login ID, password, PIN, UPI-PIN, OTP, ATM / Debit card / credit card details with anyone, not even with bank officials, however genuine they might sound.
Any phone call / email threatening the blocking of your account on the pretext of non-updation of KYC and suggestion to click link for updating the same is a common modus operandi of fraudsters. Do not respond to offers for getting KYC updated / expedited. Always access the official website of your bank / NBFC / e-wallet provider or contact the branch.
Do not download any unknown app on your phone / device. The app may access your confidential data secretly.
Transactions involving receipt of money do not require scanning barcodes / QR codes or entering MPIN. Thus, exercise caution if asked to do so.
Always access the official website of bank / NBFC / e-wallet provider for contact details. Contact numbers on internet search engines may be fraudulent.
Check URLs and domain names received in emails / SMSs for spelling errors. Use only verified, secured, and trusted websites / apps for online banking, that is, websites starting with ‘’https’’. In case of suspicion, notify local police / cybercrime branch immediately.
If you receive an OTP for debiting your account for a transaction not initiated by you, inform your bank / e-wallet provider immediately. If you receive a debit SMS for a transaction not done, inform your bank / e-wallet provider immediately and block all modes of debit, including UPI. If you suspect any fraudulent activity in your account, check for any addition to the beneficiary list enabled for internet / mobile banking.
Do not share the password of your email linked to your bank / e-wallet account. Do not have common passwords for e-commerce / social media sites and your bank account / email linked to your bank account. Avoid banking through public, open or free networks.
Do not set your email password as the word “password” while registering in any website / application with your email as user-id. The password used for accessing your email, especially if linked with your account, should be unique and used only for email access and not for accessing any other website / application.
Do not be misled by advices intimating deposit of money on your behalf with RBI for foreign remittances, receipt of commission, or wins of lottery.
Regularly check your email and phone messages for alerts from your financial service provider. Report any un-authorized transaction observed to your bank / NBFC / Service provider immediately for blocking the card / account / wallet, so as to prevent any further losses.
Secure your cards and set daily limit for transactions. You may also set limits and activate / deactivate for domestic / international use. This can limit loss due to fraud.
BE CAUTIOUS OF KYC UPDATION CALLS : RBI
Dated 14.09.2021 : Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has cautioned to bank customers against falling prey to frauds being perpetrated in the name of KYC updation. .
Normally anonymous callers , impersonating as a bank's telecallers , advise you that you account needs immediate updation of KYC DETAILS along with a threat that your account would be suspended if updation is not done . In disguise of helping you to update your account , they make you to share card nos , PIN , OTPs etc . Otherwise they would send SMS or email giving a link to a dubious website ( lookalike of a bank's website ) and make you to submit such details on their website . Once they get access of your account through the information provided by you either on phone ot through the website , your account would be siphoned off .
Now RBI has cautioned of public not to share account login details, personal information, copies of KYC documents, card information, PIN, password, OTP, etc. with unidentified persons or agencies. Further, they have advised public not to share such details through unverified/ unauthorised websites or applications. In case you receive any such requests, you may contact your bank/branch. and do the needul at the bank itself .
To go through RBI Press Release dated 13.09.2021 , CLICK HERE
CARE TO BE TAKEN ON DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS
Many of us use debit / credit cards from withdrawing cash from ATMs to shopping to on line payments of bills , insurance etc .
As first time users , some may have to take help of others in learning the use of on line applications and e-commerce , they may innocently divulge security information of their cards like PIN , CVV number , Card number etc . It may lead to misuse of their debit / credit cards and ultimately financial loss . Also there are unscrupulous elements taking gullible to fraudulent websites by offering cheap prices on goods etc and cheat them. Even those regularly using internet for on line transactions have to be careful as they would have deal with new sites / dealers etc .
While it is good for the economy to move in the direction of cashless society , one has to be cautious while transacting on line . There are reports , which appear in frequent intervals , of wide spread breaches of security with leading banks and card issuers . Under the circumstances , we advise our readers to be extra cautious while transacting on line and help others , especially illiterate / new users about the precautions to be taken in such transactions .
We give below some of the tips for safe cashless transactions :
1. Do change your ATM PIN once in 3 to 6 months .
2. Memorize your PIN and do not share your ATM PIN with anyone .
3. While transacting at an ATM , keep safe distance in the queue and stand close to ATM machine and use your body and hand to shield the keypad while you enter your PIN . Check for any skimming machines /unauthorized video cameras installed at the place of ATMs
4. Remember to take transaction slip and shred it before discarding it
5. Press the " CANCEL " key before leaving ATM .
6. NEVER SHARE your card number , CW, PIN , OTP , Expiry Date or URN with anyone , even if the person claims to be a bank employee . Sharing these details can lead to unauthorised access to your account .
7. Never keep your Card and PIN together or write your PIN on the card
8. Transact online only at reputed and known online merchants .and on secured sites having https :/
9. Be cautious on e mails / SMS / calls you receive which will ask you to respond and take to their websites . Such websites may be fraudulent and you may divulge your card details thinking that you are transacting on genuine website . If you have to go any e commerce / banking site , Type the name of website in google / other search pages , verify whether it is secured site of the merchant / bank and then transact .
10. Now some banks are giving option of block / unblock the card, set geographical limits like where cards can be used and daily / total limit . Please utilize those features and make your cards more secure . Set the daily limit as normally required by you . In case of need , you may go and raise the limit to the required level before using such higher limit .
11. Report lost or stolen cards immediately .
12. Always check for messages from banks for usage of your card , verify the genuineness / correctness of amount . If there is discrepancy , immediately take up with the bank .
13 . Check for account balance and statements often to know about any unauthorized transaction taking place .
14. In case of emergency , have telephone numbers of issuers of your card . Information may also be available on their web sites .
To visit their websites , you may take the help of following LINK
TAIL PIECE : ONCE UP ON A TIME , GULLIBLE ILLITERATES WERE CHEATED BY OBTAINING LEFT HAND THUMB IMPRESSIONS ON BLANK PAPERS . NOW INDIA HAS PROGRESSED AND DIGITALISED . NOW THEY ARE CHEATED BY OBTAINING PASSWORDS
DO NOT SHARE OTP RECEIVED TO CALLERS TO AVOID SIPHONING OFF MONEY :
Dated 08.01.2021 : Nowadays One Time Password or OTP has become essential to complete any on -line transactions . Whether it's for Aaadhaar or KYC updating or banking transactions , concerned authorities or banks send you the OTP to confirm the transaction . Once it is confirmed through input of OTP , transaction will go through and payments will be done or any service request will be completed .
Thieves , knowing the essence of OTP confirmation , are duping many people by calling them on their mobiles to get OTP sent by the banks / UIDAI etc to them to complete the financial transactions initiated by the thieves themselves and empty your bank accounts .
Some of the Modus operandi followed are :
1 . Guise of Covid Vaccine Registration : They request you to provide / confirm your Aaadhaar number for registering for covid vaccine . Once you provide them the details , you will get an OTP . Caller will ask you to share the OTP with him / her . Once you share OTP , your bank account linked to the aadhaar will be lighter by few thouands Rupees .
2. Issue of CHIP CARD : Many banks / credit card issuers are issuing fresh Chip cards in place of the existing cards . Either callers would have already got card number , expiry date etc or you will be requested to provide / confirm the details . Once you provide details , you will get OTP for completing the transaction . If you share OTP , as requested by the caller , your bank account will be emptied or credit card will be siphoned off .
3 . Income Tax Refund : In guise of IT authorities checking on the status of IT Refund , caller will make you to provide your account details . You will get an OTP on providing the details . Once you provide the OTP received to the caller , your account will be debited .
The thieves find various other types of excuses and their ultimate aim is to collect your data like Aadhaar Number , credit card detail , bank account details . If they have already stolen such details from other sources , call will be to get confirmation of data . Once they have such details , they initiate transactions to siphon off your account . But they require OTP sent by banks to complete the transaction . If you share the OTP you received , it's their victory over your account and you end up losing from few thousands rupees to few lakhs .
Hence never share YOUR DETAILS OR OTP TO ANY CALLER . If you think the caller is genuine , even then you may gather information from such callers and directly go to the authority websites to do any on-line transaction . Don't fall prey .
BE CAREFUL OF UNAUTHORISED LENDING PLATFORMS : RBI
Dated 24.12.2020 : We often get messages , e-mails and calls offering quick loans in minutes and promising loans in minutes and hours and all we have to do is agree to their terms and provide them our bank details . For the purpose , lenders have created / use mobile apps also . If we are in dire need , we may take the loans without knowing the credentials of the lender or terms , conditions , fees and interest rates of such loans . We would have fallen in to a debt trap .
Recently there is a news about such borrowers falling prey and later committing suicide without able to bear the harassment from the agents of such lenders . It is reported further that Hyderabad Police Commissionerate conducted probe on the matter and raided at call centres in Hyderabad and Haryana’s Gurugram, where hundreds of employees were given the task of calling up clients, harassing them for not repaying the amount, shaming them online, and even threatening them Some of the apps used by the lenders include Cash Mama, Loan Zone, Dhana Dhan, Cash Era, Cash Lion, Mastermelon, Lucky Wallet and Coco Cash . ( We have not independently verified whether the apps have any adverse features and how they are used to collect info on borrowers and harasss them )
In view of such adverse reports received by RBI , it has cautioned individuals/small businesses against falling prey to growing number of unauthorised digital lending platforms/Mobile Apps on promises of getting loans in quick and hassle-free manner. RBI also warns of excessive rates of interest and additional hidden charges being demanded from borrowers, adoption of unacceptable and high-handed recovery methods and misuse of agreements to access data on the mobile phones of the borrowers.
Hence Reserve Bank has advised public to use only digital lending platforms used by authorised Banks and NBFCs who should disclose name of the Bank(s) or NBFC(s) upfront to the customers.
PLAN N PROGRESS ADDS :
1. Plan your finance well in advance
2. If your plan includes borrowing , check the loan available from various sources , choose the one where charges and interest rates are reasonable and verify about the terms and conditions ( To check whether you can comply with them without any hazard )
3. Pay within due date to avoid penal interest , frequent calls from lender and harassment .
4. For emergencies , you have credit cards and pay within due dates of payment . In case you are unable to pay within due date , get the outstanding converted in to EMI which will have a reasonable interest rate .
5 . Do not take loans / use credit card , just because credit is available . Live within your means .
In case you have any complaint against any lender about harassment , you may lodge a complaint with RBI by CLICKING HERE