With the advent of technological advancement and its multiple benefits, financial transactions in digital mode are becoming a preferred option, by bank customers including the Senior Citizens. Sometimes even without attaching required significance for recognizing the attendant risks. Elderly Citizens being the vulnerable segment of population in view of ageing related issues are targeted more frequently nowadays, as evident from the digital frauds often reported. In order to create awareness on the true spirit of the caption so also to protect one’s finance, a list of cyber security best practices is furnished below as preventive measures against cybercrimes.
| A | Cyber Security Best Practices and Preventive Measures: | |
| 1 | Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information | Never share your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like, AADHAAR, Mobile Number, Date of Birth, etc and Financial Information like, Bank Details, Account Number, Card Number, PIN, OTP, CVV, User ID, Login ID, Password, etc. over WhatsApp or unverified platforms, to any stranger. In case you need to send it to someone for official purposes, use the masked Aadhaar id or use other forms of id like driving licence etc. |
| 2 | Secure your Devices | Use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and ensure regular update of your operating system, web-browsers and other software with the latest security patches. |
| 3 | Verify the Sources | Avoid acting on unsolicited calls and investment advice received through WhatsApp or Social Media. Never believe when someone calls you, even with a familiar voice and sometimes even on a video call, stating that he/ she needs money. BEFORE SENDING ANY MONEY or sharing any data, YOU PLEASE MAKE A CALL, without clicking any link and cross check about the genuineness of the caller’s identity. Voice can be cloned (faked) and so also video images too! |
| 4 | Beware of Guarantees for huge returns/ benefits | Be cautious of anyone offering guaranteed high returns. Remember, even legitimate investments always involve risks and hence it is impossible to give big yields in bonafide business practices. Be content and not greedy. |
| 5 | Use Official Platforms | Conduct all your financial transactions, trading and investment activities only through bonafide, registered and licensed platforms. |
| 6 | Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links | Refrain from Opening Files or Links from unknown numbers or unsolicited messages. Malicious “apk” files (ie files with ‘dot apk’ as part of the name) can give attackers complete control of your device. If you receive a suspicious .apk file, delete the message immediately and report. Banks/Financial Institutions have been instructed to never SEEK ie ASK FOR any particulars from customers through an online mode or to instruct customers or public to download any App for furnishing any details. |
| 7 | Check Email A d d r e s s e s Carefully | Check the Sender’s email address. Look for slight misspellings or unfamiliar domains. Check the URLs for its correctness before accessing the portal. Be cautious of emails with suspicious attachments, which may contain malware. |
| 8 | Suspicious Payment Methods | Do not entertain requests to transfer money to personal accounts or though unconventional methods like UPI ID not linked to official entities in the case of investments through ONLINE Mode. |
| 9 | Pressure to Act Quickly – Urgency/ Anxiety/Fear | Scammers often create urgency, asking you to respond immediately to “seize the opportunity”. OR ‘the offer is valid for today only” OR “your account will be blocked today” etc. Please ignore such messages and do not yield for emotional threats |
| 10 | Emotional Story in Social Media and in Person | Emotional Story commences with a sad narrative compelling you to seek further information and request money for come out of the crisis with an assurance to return back after some time. Don’t share your information |
| 11 | Government Impersonation through VIDEO Calls | Fraudsters masquerade as Officials from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Economic Offences Wing, etc and threaten legal action or heavy fines to extort money. Don’t trust such calls or messages accusing you of crimes, especially from unknown numbers. There is no concept of “DIGITAL ARREST” in India. Police or any investigating official will never send an email or send a WhatsApp message asking you to send money or pay the penalty or contact advocate etc. |
| 12 | FedEx or other foreign Courier Scam | Directly check (even if you feel if it could be from an expected person known to you) the status of any package on the official FedEx or such courier office’s Website. Otherwise simply ignore, even if the caller tells you that your parcel is confiscated or you are going to be arrested or penalized etc. |
| 13 | Loan Apps | Do not trust the Apps of Financial Institutions/Companies assuring immediate loan arrangements against a nominal service fee/ processing charges which may even result in siphoning off even the entire balance in your account. |
| 14 | Debit / Credit Cards | Do not handover your Cards to anybody, especially to third parties. Change your PINs periodically to avoid the attempts of hackers/skimmers. Also do not fall prey for the sympathetic requests for money in front of ATM locations by the fraudsters |
| 15 | Regular Reboots | Reboot your phone/devices regularly and close background apps to prevent ongoing connections with hackers and phishing attacks |
| 16 | Monitor Bank Accounts | Regularly review your bank account statements/passbooks for any unauthorized transactions and promptly inform the anomalies to your bank. In any account, where you have mobile banking or a Payment Wallet, keep only minimum balance and keep transferring from other main accounts to this account for your day to day expenses. Do not keep huge balances in these accounts. |
| B | What to do if you are a victim of a financial crime or noticing a suspicious financial activity in your account: | |
| 1 | Contact your Bank | Inform your bank immediately to freeze your accounts and block any unauthorized transactions. Also report in CHAKSU Portal: https:// sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc |
| 2 | Report to Cybercrime | File a Complaint at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www. cybercrime.gov.in). |
| 3 | Cyber Police Helpline | 1930 (All India Toll Free Number) |
| 4 | Cyber Police Physical Complaint | Nearest Cyber Crime Cell OR Police Station. |
| 5 | Preserve Evidence | Keep screenshots and records of messages and transactions to support investigations |
| 6 | Change Credentials | Change your passwords for all your digital mode of transactions |
