New Delhi: Consumers are being advised to be wary of fraudulent messages sent via text message, messaging apps or digital platform and to independently verify any suspicious messages before replying or clicking on any links and never provide sensitive banking details.
The report titled “Scams of the week” by Rediff Get Ahead brings to light the rising trend of fake investment apps, banking impersonation, digital arrests, malicious Android applications or UPI payment requests to scammers. According to the report, fraud-detection technology firm BioCatch found that the number of SMS-based scams targeting Indian banks increased 146 per cent between the second half of 2025 and first half of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year.
Common Scam Methods
Fraudsters often exploit the credibility of banks, government agencies and other trusted institutions to persuade individuals to disclose confidential information or authorise fraudulent transactions.
Common methods include:
- Fake investment applications: Fraudsters display fictitious profits and later prevent users from withdrawing their money.
- Banking impersonation: Scammers pose as bank representatives to obtain OTPs, passwords or other credentials.
- Digital-arrest scams: Individuals impersonating police or investigative agencies threaten victims with legal action and demand transfers to supposed holding accounts.
- Malicious APK files: Fraudulent applications disguised as traffic challans, electricity bills or invitations may be used to access OTPs and banking information.
- UPI fraud: Scammers may send deceptive payment requests or ask users to scan QR codes under the false promise of receiving money.
- Romance and mule scams: Fraudsters build trust or offer work-from-home opportunities before involving victims in fraudulent investment or money-transfer schemes.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Consumers should be particularly cautious of messages that create urgency, impose short deadlines, contain shortened URLs or direct users to misspelled or suspicious domains. Requests for OTPs, PINs, passwords, KYC details or remote access to a phone should also be treated as potential warning signs.
The report advises users not to verify a suspicious message through the links or contact details provided in that message. Instead, they should use the bank’s official website, mobile application, customer-care number, debit card or passbook to independently confirm the request.
Steps to Stay Safe
Consumers can reduce their exposure to digital fraud by following a few basic precautions:
- Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, passwords, CVVs, card numbers, authentication codes or Aadhaar-based authentication credentials through unsolicited calls, SMSes or emails.
- Remember that a UPI PIN is used to send money, not receive it.
- Avoid clicking unsolicited links or using them to update banking information.
- Download applications only from official app stores, such as Google Play or the Apple App Store.
- Do not install APK files or remote-access applications sent by individuals claiming to represent a bank or government agency.
- Pause before responding to messages that demand immediate action or threaten account suspension or legal consequences.
- Report suspicious messages through the Sanchar Saathi portal and block suspicious senders.
The report emphasises that awareness, independent verification and cautious digital behaviour remain essential safeguards against evolving online scams.
Source: Rediff Get Ahead, “Beware Of These Scams!”, published September 1, 2026.
