Digital payment frauds have also increased due to the increasing acceptance of online payments in India. This can be addressed by increasing user awareness and education on how to be safe, informed and vigilant when using digital payments to prevent abuse by bad actors.
To spread awareness about online safety, including educating users to take precautions while making digital payments, Meta-owned WhatsApp has launched a week-long user-safety campaign called #TakeCharge.
UPI continues to be one of the most secure, convenient and interoperable modes of payment in terms of instant messaging and voice-over-IP service.
However, WhatsApp warns that there are some common frauds that citizens should be aware of.
Phishing scams: These are online scams in the form of emails or text messages and seem to be from well-known sources like UPI providers, banks and e-wallet providers requesting personal information.
Fake Customer Care Fraud: Usually done through phone call or voice message, such fake customer care numbers are requested to solve a problem in UPI app by pretending to solve a problem like OTP or UPI PIN.
Collect Request Fraud and QR Code Scam: The “Collect Request” link entices users to win cashback or lottery with just one click, resulting in deducting money from the user’s account instead of receiving the money. Scammers convince users to accept collections. Request and enter UPI PIN to receive money. They may also sometimes ask users to scan QR codes to receive funds.
UPI ID Spoofing: Scammers create deceptive UPI handles for the purpose of paying themselves money by changing certain characters in the UPI IDs of legitimate businesses. Users should be vigilant and thoroughly review a UPI ID before initiating any transaction.
Abhijit Bose, India Head, WhatsApp, said, “UPI has been an undeniable success and we believe that ‘Payments on WhatsApp’ can be an important partner for NPCI and RBI as we collectively drive adoption of UPI and drive financial inclusion. Let’s aim for the “next five hundred million” Indians.”
According to WhatsApp, here are some best practices for citizens to prevent fraud while making digital payments.
1. Do not share personal details such as Account Number, Login ID, Password, UPI-PIN, OTP, ATM PIN, Debit Card or Credit Card details with anyone including bank officials, even if they seem genuine.
2. Simply enter the UPI PIN to deduct money from your account. UPI PIN is not required to receive money.
3. Don’t scan the QR code to get money. In UPI you just scan a QR code to make payment.
4. After verifying the UPI ID, check the name of the receiver. Do not make payment without verification.
5. Check URLs and domain names for spelling errors. Use only verified, secure and trusted websites that begin with “https” and have apps for conducting digital transactions. When in doubt, immediately notify the local police and cyber crime branch.
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