Introduction
India is one of the fastest growing countries in this digital world. There are so many things, like shopping and banking, which are all done using online platforms. Doing all these tasks online has made people’s lives easier. However, like every situation has its pros and cons; with the growth, there is a considerable amount of increase in scams which are done online.
People have lost thousands, lakhs and even crores due to these online scams. It is very hard to locate these scammers due to the nature of the scam. It is important to act as fast as you can if you yourself or someone you know is scammed online. There are a few ways to recover the money. If you are aware of the steps to follow in such cases, it will help you in protecting your finances. In online scams, it is best to stay alert and be careful.
Types of scam
Some of the most common types of scams are:
- Phishing scam – In these types of scams, the scammers pretend to be from a bank or a government agency and ask for your personal details or share links which help them scam people.
- UPI fraud – The scammers tricks people into sharing their UPI passwords and conduct unlawful transactions with that.
- Debit/Credit card fraud – People are fooled into sharing their credit or debit card details by a person pretending to be from the bank. The scammers then use money to buy something or withdraw the entire amount.
- Fake investment scheme fraud – Scammers pose as investment advisors and promise high returns in investment schemes. These scams often happen through Telegram or Whatsapp apps.
- Social media scams – Scammers make fake profiles or hack profiles of others to scam people by conducting fake contests, offering fake deals, etc.
- Online shopping scams – False ads and fake deals are offered to customers to steal their money.
- Email scams – Scammers send emails with harmful links about vacations, winning a contest, loans, etc. On clicking these links, all the personal data of the victim gets either stolen or hacked.
Legal provisions which protect you when you get scammed
The legal provisions in India which protect you when you have been scammed are:
| Legal provision | How does it protect? |
Information Technology Act, 2000 |
Section 66C: The section protects in case of identity theft.Section 66D: This section gives punishment for cheating by impersonating as someone else using computer devices.Section 43A: Under this section the compensation is given in case of failure to protect personal data. |
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 |
Section 318 (4): This provision talks about cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.Section 336 (3): This section deals and protects from forgery. Section 340 (2): This section provides protection when an electronic record/forged document is shown as genuine. |
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
This act helps in providing protection to the consumers who fall victim to online shopping scams, misleading advertisements, online shopping frauds etc. A complaint can be filed under this act. |
What to do if you got scammed
Following are the common steps to follow if you are getting scammed or you just got scammed:
Cut off any contact with the scammer
As soon as you realise that something is wrong and the person with whom you are in contact with seems suspicious, you should immediately cut off any and all contact with them.
Collect all evidence
As soon as you cut off contact with the scammer, ensure that you gather all the evidence which proves that you were/are getting scammed. You can take screenshots of your conversation, save the recording of your conversation on call, and and save the emails which were sent between the two of you. All this evidence will be required when you file a complaint to the authorities. This evidence acts as proof that the scammer was conducting an illegal activity. Any such evidence will also help the authorities identify your scammers. Hence, you are advised not to delete any details.
Report to the National Cyber Crime Portal
The next and the most important step is to file a report of the scam on the National Cyber Crime Portal.
Step to file a complaint under National Cyber Crime Portal
- The first step is to visit the official website of National Cyber Crime Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
- The next step is to select the option ‘Register A complaint’ on the homepage.
- The next step is to select the relevant category of fraud.
- After that, file the complaint by entering the details. The following are the vital information which is to be added in the complaint:
- Time and date of the fraud.
- All details of the scam.
- Identify proof.
- Evidence of the scam.
- It is crucial to add the details of the suspect; information related to the amount that you got scammed out of; the links and accounts which were used for the scam, etc., is also to be added.
- After the complaint is filed on the portal, the complainant can also track the process of his complaint with the acknowledgement number provided in the initial stage.
- As soon as the complaint is filed, the bank and other institutions involved are informed, and they are directed to hold the money.
File a complaint with the local police
Along with filing a complaint at the portal, you can lodge a complaint with the local police. You can lodge an FIR against the scammer.
Inform your bank or payment app
In case of a financial scam, you are also required to inform the authorities involved. Information like the name of the bank, the details of your account, transactions details, etc.
Report to the platform where the scam took place
If the scam has taken place on a specific platform, then that platform is also to be reported. For instance, if someone is pretending to be a famous person and has scammed you using Instagram, then you have to report the account of such a person. This will prevent other people from scamming others.
Change the details and passwords
The next step is to change all the personal details and passwords which you had shared with the scammer in order to protect the account. This will help in increasing the protection and security of the account. You can add a two-step verification to lessen the chances of scams in future.
Monitor your bank accounts
Keep a check on the accounts to ensure that no suspicious activity is taking place after you have been almost scammed or scammed. If there is any suspicious activity, you can directly inform the authorities.
Precautionary measures to avoid scams
- Always verify the details before you share any personal and important details.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or other important PINs with anyone without ensuring their affiliation.
- Make use of official websites and apps when you have to enter any personal details.
- Enable two-factor authentication, so if anyone tries to log in to your account, it would be difficult for them to access it.
- Make it a habit to regularly check your bank accounts and statements. It is also essential to never ignore messages from your bank. It could be about any suspicious logins or transactions happening.
- Always report any suspicious activities promptly. It is important to report the scam in the golden hour. A golden hour is the first few hours when the scam has taken place. A timely intervention of the authorities increases the chances of catching the scammer more quickly.
Conclusion
Falling for a scam can be overwhelming, but taking action promptly can save you from a lot of damage. Immediately reporting the cybercrime to authorities increases the chances of recovering money. The victim should also preserve all the evidence to help the authorities in finding the scammer. The most important thing is to stay alert, be aware, and report immediately when such events occur.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the national helpline number for reporting a cyber crime in India?
1930 is the national helpline number to report a cybercrime in India.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication is a two-layer security. In this authentication method a second verification is also required along with a password. Like OTP on your mobile device.
What actions should I take after I have shared my personal details/ passwords with the scammer?
Promptly change the password and other details which are shared to avoid any illegal activity/scam from happening.
