This book warns readers about different types of online scams and offers tips to stay safe

Did you know, some clever fraudsters work in different ways? They don’t always need a tricky link or a convincing call. They find other routes to fool you. It’s important to know about these too. Let’s dive in.

This is called “Interception Fraud”. The fraudster already has your credit or debit card details. Maybe they got it from a data leak or from a previous hack. Then, they order something expensive online using your card. But here’s the trick: before the delivery, they change the shipping address! So, your new phone goes to their address, not yours. You only realise something is wrong when you see a big charge on your bank statement for something you never got.

The package that vanished

Let’s talk about what happened to Mr Sharma in Delhi. He was checking his bank statement on December 10, 2023. He saw a charge for a new laptop, Rs 75,000! But he hadn’t ordered any laptop. He called the online store. They said the laptop was delivered to an address in Gurugram, not his home in Delhi. Someone had used his card and changed the delivery address just before it shipped. Poor Mr Sharma was shocked. It took him weeks to get his money back.

What could have helped:

• Use transaction alerts: Many banks and online stores send SMS or email alerts for every transaction. If Mr Sharma had signed up for these, he might have seen the purchase alert immediately.

• Check statements frequently: Don’t wait till the end of the month to look at your bank and cards statements. Check them every few days, especially if you shop online a lot.

• Block the card, report quickly: The moment you see a suspicious transaction, call your bank and block your card. Then, inform the online store. The faster you act, the better your chances of getting your money back.

Loan scams

Have you ever heard of someone getting a loan without even applying for it? Or someone taking out a loan in your name without your knowledge? This is a “false documentation” or “forged signature” scam. Here, fraudsters create fake documents – like Aadhaar cards, PAN cards or even salary slips – and forge signatures. Then they use these fake papers to get loans or credit cards in someone else’s name.

Think about Mrs Devi from Chennai. She got a call from a bank on March 15, 2024, asking her to repay a loan. But Mrs Devi had never taken a loan from that bank! She was utterly confused. After checking, she found out that someone had used a forged PAN card and a fake electricity bill with her name and address to get a personal loan of Rs 2.5 lakh. The fraudster even forged her signature on the loan application. It was a nightmare for her to prove that she had never taken the loan.

What could have helped:

• Write purpose on copies: Be very careful with your original documents like Aadhaar, PAN and passport. Don’t share photocopies or digital images widely. When you give a copy, write “for XYZ purpose only” across it.

• Regularly check your credit score: Regularly check your credit score (CIBIL score). If someone takes a loan in your name, it will show up there. You can get a free report once a year.

• Shred old documents properly: Don’t just throw away old bank statements or bills. Shred them properly so no one can piece together your information.

Scratch card scams

Remember those glossy pamphlets you sometimes got in malls and at festive events? They often had a “scratch card” that said you’ve won a big prize, like a new car or a huge sum of money. You scratched it, and wow! You’ve “won”! But could it be real? Almost always, it was a scam.

They lure you with the scratch card. Then, they call you, congratulating you on your “win”. But to get your prize, they ask you to pay a “processing fee” or “tax” or some other charge. You pay, and pay, and pay. But the prize? It never comes.

Mr Ramesh from Bengaluru received a fancy brochure in August 2023. It had a scratch card. He scratched it, and it said he won Rs 10 lakh! He was over the moon. Soon, he got a call from someone claiming to be from a “lottery department”. They congratulated him and asked him to deposit Rs 20,000 as a “tax” to release the prize money. Mr Ramesh, in his excitement, sent the money. Then they asked for more, for “clearance” and “documentation”. He ended up sending Rs 80,000 in total. After that, their phone numbers went dead. Mr Ramesh lost his hard-earned money and the dream of a lottery win.

What could have helped:

• Never pay for prize winnings: Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No legitimate lottery or prize scheme will ask you to pay money to receive your winnings. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is taken from the prize. You don’t ever have to pay anything.

• Call an alternate official number: If you get such a card, check the company’s official website. Call their official customer service number, not the one given on the pamphlet.

• Beware urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency. They say, “Act fast! This offer is only for a limited time!” This is to pressure you into making a quick decision without thinking.

Excerpted with permission from Be Cyber Smart: An Essential Guide for Every Indian, Satyendra K Dwivedi, Westland.