Phishing awareness and scam detection for India

Fake KYC texts, UPI collect requests, courier calls and “digital arrest” threats cost Indians money every day. Learn the patterns, test yourself, and know exactly who to call if it happens to you.

Test yourself in 2 minutes
SMS from VM-SBIALRTDear customer, your account will be blocked today. Update KYC now: http://sbi-kyc-update.in.net/verify or share the OTP with our officer.
Four red flags in one message: urgency, a look-alike link, an OTP request, and a threat.

Spot the scam

Read each message and decide: scam or genuine? You get the reason after every answer.

Scams most reported in India

The tricks change, but the pattern is the same: create fear or greed, then rush you into sharing money or a code.

Fake KYC / bank alert

An SMS or call says your account or card will be blocked unless you click a link or share an OTP.

UPI collect and QR scams

Someone “sends” money by asking you to scan a QR code or approve a request. You only scan to pay, never to receive.

Digital arrest

Callers pose as police, CBI or customs on video and say you are under arrest. No agency does this or takes money on a call.

Courier and customs parcel

A “parcel with illegal items” in your name is used to scare you into paying a fee or clearing a case.

Job and task scams

WhatsApp or Telegram offers pay for liking videos or doing tasks, then ask you to “deposit” money to withdraw earnings.

Electricity and utility threats

A message says your power will be cut tonight unless you call a number or pay through a link.

Five red flags in any message

If you notice even one, stop and verify through the official app or website you type yourself.

  1. Urgency or threat“Today only”, “account blocked”, “you will be arrested”. Scammers want you to act before you think.
  2. Request for OTP, PIN, CVV or passwordBanks and government offices never ask for these.
  3. Look-alike linksCheck the real domain before the first “/”. Shortened links and odd endings like .in.net or .xyz are suspicious.
  4. Unknown sender asking for money firstPrizes, jobs and refunds should never need an advance fee.
  5. Pressure to stay on the call or keep it secretReal officials do not tell you to hide the matter from family or your bank.

Been scammed? Act within the first hour

Reporting quickly gives the best chance of freezing the money.

1930

Call the national cybercrime helpline right away for financial fraud.

File a complaint

Report at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots, transaction IDs and the scammer's number.

Call your bank

Ask them to block the card or UPI and flag the transaction. Change passwords and UPI PIN.

Report the number

Use Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi to report suspected fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages.

Frequently asked questions

What is phishing?

Phishing is fraud where criminals pretend to be a bank, courier, government office or employer, through SMS, email, WhatsApp or calls, to steal your OTP, passwords or money.

Will a bank ever ask for my OTP or PIN?

No. Genuine banks never ask for your OTP, PIN, CVV or password over call, SMS or WhatsApp.

What is a digital arrest scam?

Fraudsters pose as police, CBI or customs on a video call and claim you are under arrest to force a payment. No agency arrests people or collects money over a video call.

How can I check if a link is safe?

Do not tap it. Open the bank or service app directly, or type the official address yourself. Long-press a link to preview the real destination.