Don't lose money chasing cashback; here are 5 easy ways to avoid cyber fraud..
As the festive season kicks off in India, there is a significant surge in online shopping, UPI payments, and the use of digital offers. Mobile phones are flooded with messages regarding sales and cashback, and e-commerce apps abound with deals; users also frequently receive notifications related to deliveries, refunds, or banking. Cyber fraudsters often attempt to exploit this heightened digital activity.
During festivals, people are busy with shopping, travel, and making payments. Fraudsters may use this opportunity to pressure individuals into making hasty decisions by promising fake discounts, cashback, or refunds, or by claiming urgent updates are required. According to Quick Heal’s *India Cyber Threat Report 2025*, 369.01 million malware detections were recorded across 8.44 million endpoints in India—averaging 702 detections per minute. In this context, observing a few simple precautions during the festive season can go a long way in protecting against online fraud.
1. Pause before clicking on offer links
During the festive season, messages like "Today Only," "Limited Cashback," and "Claim Your Reward Now" become commonplace. These are often designed to prompt users to click immediately without thinking. Before clicking on any offer received via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or social media, carefully examine the link. Be wary of errors in the website name, strange URLs, unfamiliar attachments, or messages requesting personal and banking information.
A fake shopping website can look remarkably similar to a genuine one. Therefore, instead of shopping via a link provided in a message, visit the official website or app directly to verify the offer.
2. Do not rush UPI payments
The rise in UPI payments during festivals also increases the risk of UPI-related fraud. Fraudsters may lure you with promises of refunds, cashback, or rewards, urging you to approve a payment or scan a QR code. Remember, you do not need to enter your UPI PIN to receive money via UPI. Be cautious if someone asks you to scan a QR code or accept a "collect request" under the pretext of a refund or a reward. Always verify the receiver's name and the amount before making a payment. If anything seems suspicious, stop the transaction and verify the details through the official channels of the concerned company or organization.
3. Beware of fake customer care and phishing
During festivals, the volume of online orders increases, leading to a rise in messages regarding delivery updates, order confirmations, and refunds. Cyber fraudsters exploit this trend to carry out phishing attacks. For instance, you might receive a message stating that your parcel is stuck, a payment has failed, or your account needs verification. A link in such a message could direct you to a fraudulent website designed to steal your password, card details, or other personal information. Fraudsters may also pose as customer care representatives and ask you to share an OTP or install a remote access app. In such situations, instead of calling the number provided in the message, look up the company's official customer care number yourself.
4. Do not trust everyone you speak to on the phone
Cyber fraud does not occur solely through messages or links; fraudsters may also call you posing as bank officials, delivery agents, or customer care representatives. They often possess some basic information about you beforehand, making their claims appear more credible. Never share your OTP, UPI PIN, card PIN, or banking password over the phone. Be alert if someone claims that your bank account will be blocked, a payment will fail, or a reward will expire unless immediate action is taken. Fraudsters often use fear or a sense of urgency to pressure people into making hasty, incorrect decisions.
5. Secure your phone before the festive season
Smartphone usage—for shopping, UPI payments, travel bookings, and communication—increases significantly during the festive season. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your phone's security as well. Keep your phone's operating system and all apps updated. Use a strong screen lock and download apps only from official app stores. Periodically check the permissions granted to apps and remove any that are no longer needed.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
