UPI Fraud Alert: Digital frauds are increasing rapidly and one small mistake can wipe out your entire savings. Airtel MD has given an advice to the users regarding this. He has asked not to use main account for UPI payment.
Digital Payment Safety Tips: Digital payment has become quite common nowadays. Payment through UPI is done in a jiffy everywhere in small shops or malls. But a small carelessness can make all your hard-earned money disappear. In view of this danger, Airtel MD Gopal Vittal has given a message to the users. He said, if you do UPI daily from your main bank account, then avoid it, otherwise one wrong click can wipe out your entire savings.
What alert message did Airtel MD send?
Gopal Vittal said that nowadays cyber frauds are devising such new methods that even sensible people get trapped in them. People are scared by saying things like fake parcel delivery, lottery hoax, threat of electricity bill cut, fear of KYC update and even digital arrest, so that they immediately click on the link. Just by clicking once, such malware gets installed on the phone or screen sharing is allowed that the fraudsters gain access to your bank account and withdraw the entire balance within minutes. Many people think that they are very alert, but fraudsters take advantage of your panic, fear and haste.
How does UPI fraud trap users?
Fraudsters first send a convincing message or call, such as your parcel is stuck, your SIM is about to be switched off, your electricity bill is due or you have received cashback. Seeing these things, common people immediately open the link, because they think that it is a small payment or confirmation. But the real game starts from there. On clicking the link, a page opens which looks real and the user gives permission to anything without thinking. After this the fraudsters silently take control of the phone and money is withdrawn from the main bank account. Many times the user does not know till the end when his phone got hacked and when the money went missing.
Why should one create a second bank account?
Airtel MD says that UPI users should never use their main bank account for digital payments. His advice is to open a separate secondary bank account and keep only that much money in it as is required for UPI, grocery, bill payment or shopping. The advantage of this will be that even if any fraud link is opened, your loss will be limited and your main account and the fixed deposits, savings and large amounts present in it will remain completely safe. Today, most cyber security experts also recommend this method.
How to avoid UPI fraud?
- Never click on any unknown link.
- Ignore messages related to KYC, lottery, parcel, fine, cashback.
- Banks, UPI do not ask for OTP, PIN from any user, keep this in mind.
- Avoid screen sharing apps.
- If any payment request comes on the call, disconnect it immediately.
- Never open the payment link sent on WhatsApp.
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