Phone Auto-Resets and Bank Account Emptied: Users Worried About New Fraud—Here’s How to Stay Safe

Smartphone Factory Reset Fraud: Cybercriminals are constantly devising new methods to drain people's bank accounts. A single moment of carelessness could result in your entire life savings falling into the hands of cybercriminals. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant.

A new type of online fraud has left people shocked: the phone automatically resets, and money vanishes from the bank account. This startling incident has emerged from Mumbai. According to reports, a CISF jawan fell victim to this scam. First, the smartphone resets on its own, and all apps disappear from the device. When the apps are re-downloaded and the bank account is checked, approximately ₹95,000 is found missing.

How does this fraud occur?

To carry out this type of digital fraud, cybercriminals hack your smartphone and gain remote access to it. With remote access, you may not even realize which apps are being opened on your phone. Your phone could be in your pocket while cybercriminals remotely reset it. Gaining remote access also gives them control over incoming calls and messages; they can read OTPs sent via text and drain your bank account.

What to do if you fall victim to fraud?

If you become a victim of any such cyber fraud, the first step is to call the cybercrime helpline number, 1930, to register a complaint. This national helpline number has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Alternatively, you can report the incident at your nearest cyber police station or local police station.

How to avoid this fraud?

The most important question is: how can one protect oneself from this type of cyber fraud? Such fraud is only possible if your phone is accessed remotely. To achieve this, cybercriminals typically send you fake links via messages or emails. If you accidentally click on these links, malware could be installed on your phone, potentially granting cybercriminals access to your device.

• You need to exercise caution to avoid this. Do not open links found in unsolicited messages, emails, or on social media platforms.
• Download apps only from official app stores; installing apps via third-party sources or APK files is unsafe.
• Check app permissions in your phone's settings. Review what access has been granted to each app and revoke permissions that are unnecessary.
• Even the smallest precaution can save you from falling into the trap of cybercriminals.

Smartphone Factory Reset Fraud: Cybercriminals are constantly devising new methods to drain people's bank accounts. A single moment of carelessness could result in your entire life savings falling into the hands of cybercriminals. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant.

A new type of online fraud has left people shocked: the phone automatically resets, and money vanishes from the bank account. This startling incident has emerged from Mumbai. According to reports, a CISF jawan fell victim to this scam. First, the smartphone resets on its own, and all apps disappear from the device. When the apps are re-downloaded and the bank account is checked, approximately ₹95,000 is found missing.

How does this fraud occur?

To carry out this type of digital fraud, cybercriminals hack your smartphone and gain remote access to it. With remote access, you may not even realize which apps are being opened on your phone. Your phone could be in your pocket while cybercriminals remotely reset it. Gaining remote access also gives them control over incoming calls and messages; they can read OTPs sent via text and drain your bank account.

What to do if you fall victim to fraud?

If you become a victim of any such cyber fraud, the first step is to call the cybercrime helpline number, 1930, to register a complaint. This national helpline number has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Alternatively, you can report the incident at your nearest cyber police station or local police station.

How to avoid this fraud?

The most important question is: how can one protect oneself from this type of cyber fraud? Such fraud is only possible if your phone is accessed remotely. To achieve this, cybercriminals typically send you fake links via messages or emails. If you accidentally click on these links, malware could be installed on your phone, potentially granting cybercriminals access to your device.
You need to exercise caution to avoid this. Do not open links found in unsolicited messages, emails, or on social media platforms.
Download apps only from official app stores; installing apps via third-party sources or APK files is unsafe.
Check app permissions in your phone's settings. Review what access has been granted to each app and revoke permissions that are unnecessary.
Even the smallest precaution can save you from falling into the trap of cybercriminals.