The advent of Internet, Wi-Fi and the launch of smartphones, led to an incredible revolution as these innovations brought forth to the people’s fingertips facilities like audio and video messaging, banking, shopping, payments, money transfers, stock market trading, etc, to such a convenient level that one can do unlimited tasks with ease and speed.
In India right from a labourer to a CEO or a minister, uses a mobile device for umpteen types of activities.
History tells us that every kind of innovation has its flip side too. In spite of advanced security measures, there have been lapses in security systems and innocent users as well government and defence institutions, online banking, shopping and payment establishments have become victims of fraudsters.
We read often how users of internet and mobile services have been duped when their bank accounts have been hacked.
I had unexpected encounters with fraudsters and scamsters.
It was in 2018, when I received a call informing me that my ATM card pin had been compromised, that the caller was from the bank’s division monitoring ATM transactions. He told me that I should act immediately so that he can block the card. I had to provide him my ATM card number, PIN, expiry date and CVV number at once.
He told me that once I give him these details I will receive an SMS with an OTP which I should give to him. Thereafter my card will be blocked. Aware that this man was a fraudster I looked for an old expired card and gave all the details. I changed the expiry date to look like it was genuine. He put the call on hold for some time. Then he called back asking me whether I received the SMS. I replied in the negative and he accused me of giving him the wrong details. I insisted that the details were correct. He shouted saying that I either give him the correct details or my bank account would be hacked. I disconnected the call.
I logged into my bank account and the balance was intact. I tried calling his number, which was switched off.
The second incident happened in June 2021. I received a call on my mobile informing me that as I was an Amazon.in Prime Member, I have been selected to participate in a special scheme. Amazon was giving away 100 prizes/gifts to those customers who ordered and paid for items costing around Rs 7,000. The prizes were Sony LED TV 42″, iPhone and a Samsung microwave. I was given 10 minutes to decide what to choose. I was contacted to inform of my choice of the prize item and given 15 minutes to order the items. Once the purchase was done I would receive an SMS/email from Amazon informing me about the date on which my gift would be delivered.
I went ahead to order and pay for the items of my choice. There was nothing unusual about the ordering since I received confirmation emails from Amazon.in.
I waited anxiously for the SMS/email. Nothing happened so I called the mobile number that had contacted me, but it was disconnected.
Beware of online fraudsters and scamsters.
