Scam Alert: Your account can be emptied with just one phone call, know what is Call Merging Scam and how to avoid it?

After Digital Arrest, now a new scam has come to light, in which money is disappearing from the account even without telling the OTP. Cyber ​​scammers, who are finding new ways every day, have now started a new scam in which anyone can easily get trapped. Known as Call Merging Scam, this method is trapping people through a simple phone call. Money is being deducted from the account just by picking up the phone. Today we will tell you what this scam is. And how can you avoid it?

How is this scam happening?

Let us tell you that the scammers have devised a way to bypass the normal security barriers of OTP-based transactions. In this, a call comes from a stranger who claims that he got this number from one of your friends. The person calling also mentions a special event to win your trust. After this, the scammer tells the person being called that the friend who gave your number is calling from another number and asks them to merge the calls.

What happens during this is that the second call is not from a friend but from the person's bank, which gives a one-time password (OTP) for a transaction. Since the call is merged, the person unknowingly shares the OTP with the scammer. As soon as the OTP is revealed, the scammer does his job and the victim's money disappears from their account.

This is why it is dangerous.

Nowadays scammers often find out your number easily through leaked databases, social media or phishing attacks. Once they get your number, they use methods like 'call merging scam'.

Unlike phishing scams that rely on fake websites or emails, this method exploits a basic phone function—call merging. Many people do not suspect fraud and follow the scammers' tactics without realizing that they are giving away access to their bank accounts.

How to protect yourself from call merging scams?

To stay safe from this fraud, follow these precautions:

Never merge calls with unknown numbers. If someone insists on merging calls, refuse and verify their identity separately

Talk to your friend directly. If someone claims to be a friend trying to contact you, contact that friend yourself to confirm.

Do not give OTP to anyone. If you are getting OTP without attempting a transaction, it could be a sign of fraud.

Report any suspicious activity. If you suspect a fraud or have already received an unknown OTP, immediately report it to the Cyber ​​Crime Helpline at 1930.

What to do if you have been scammed?

If you realize that you have been a victim of this fraud, act immediately.

Call your bank to stop unauthorized transactions.

Report the fraud to the Cyber ​​Crime Helpline (1930) or complain cybercrime.gov.in.

Keep an eye on your bank statements for any suspicious activity.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. 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.