For sons, daughters and grandchildren
Most frauds on older people follow the same few tricks: a PIN to "receive" money, an app to "fix" the account, a scary video call. Sit with your parents for ten minutes, go through these rules, set up WhatsApp together, print the fridge card and try the quiz. Everything stays on this phone.
Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources
The UPI PIN is only for sending money out. If anyone says "enter your PIN to receive the refund or prize", it is a fraud.
Scanning a QR code is for paying. A "buyer" who sends you a QR code to scan wants your money, not to give you his.
If a payment request pops up in the UPI app and you approve it with your PIN, money leaves your account. Decline any request you did not expect.
After you type a number or scan a code, the app shows the receiver’s name. If it is not the person or shop you expect, stop.
Not the bank, not "customer care", not a delivery person. Bank staff never ask for them (RBI).
UPI Lite is a small on-phone wallet for small payments without a PIN. Keep only a small balance in it and keep a screen lock on the phone.
AnyDesk, TeamViewer, QuickSupport and similar "screen sharing" apps let the caller see your screen, including every OTP. No bank needs them.
Messages that threaten to block your account today and send a link are fake. Update KYC only at the branch or in the bank’s own app.
Fraudsters list their own numbers online. Take the number from the back of your card, your passbook or the bank’s official website.
Police, CBI, ED, customs or a judge never arrest or question anyone on a video call and never ask you to move money. You may hang up. Then call 1930.
Read the OTP message itself: it says what it is for. If it says "payment" or "transfer" and you are not paying, do not share it.
Fraudsters push you to act fast and keep it secret. A real bank or officer will wait while you call your son or daughter.
Call 1930 at once, ideally within the first hour, or report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Call 1930cybercrime.gov.in takes complaints about financial fraud and other cyber crime.
Open cybercrime.gov.inReport it on Chakshu, part of the DoT’s Sanchar Saathi portal.
Open ChakshuBlock the phone on CEIR so it cannot be used, after filing a police report. Get the SIM blocked by the operator too.
Block on CEIRCall the bank’s own helpline (back of the card or passbook) to block the card, UPI and net banking. Ask for a complaint number.
Save the bank number on the cardSTOP. THINK. CALL FAMILY.
Never. The UPI PIN is only for sending money. Anyone who asks you to enter a PIN or scan a QR code to receive money is trying to take money from you.
No. There is no "digital arrest" in Indian law. Police, CBI, ED or customs never question or arrest anyone on a video call and never ask for money. Hang up and call 1930.
Call 1930 at once, or report on cybercrime.gov.in, then call the bank’s helpline to block the card or UPI. The sooner you report, the better the chance the money can be held.
Use Chakshu on the Sanchar Saathi portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc). It takes reports of suspected fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages.
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