5 Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Online Scams: A Woman’s Story of Losing ₹1.5 Lakh

The prevalence of online scams has risen in the digital era, leading to financial losses for unsuspecting individuals. A recent case in Mumbai serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved, as a woman lost ₹1.5 lakh when trying to schedule a doctor’s appointment.

The woman, who works in a private firm in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), had to make an appointment with a doctor at a hospital in Chembur. Relying on information she found online, she called the number listed for the hospital, unaware that it had been sent by an online scammer with malicious intent, according to the Times of India.

The person at the other end cleverly manipulated the woman into booking an appointment during the call, resulting in a loss of ₹1.5 lakh, leaving her devastated and betrayed.

The police investigating the matter revealed that the woman had found the hospital’s contact number on the Internet without knowing that it had been sent by a fraudster. This case is a stark reminder to be careful when retrieving contact information on the Internet, especially when it’s a sensitive matter related to online payments or other financial transactions. Cybercriminals often take advantage of the anonymity and vastness of the Internet to commit scams and fraudulent activities.

While authorities work to identify and apprehend the person responsible for this fraud, it is critical that individuals remain vigilant and take preventative measures to avoid falling victim to similar scams.

To protect yourself from online scams, it is recommended to verify the authenticity of contact information from reliable sources. Hospitals and medical facilities usually provide verified phone numbers on their official websites or through trusted methods. Be careful when sharing personal or financial information over the phone, especially if something seems suspicious. Always treat desperate requests for sensitive details or unexpected financial transactions with skepticism and reject these approaches immediately.

If you or someone you know experiences a similar incident, it is important to report it to the local authorities immediately. By doing this, you can do your part to prevent others from falling into the same unfortunate situations, and perhaps it will end with the lost money being returned to its rightful owners.

5 ways to protect yourself from online scams:

1. If you have a smartphone and use it for payments, make sure you download the latest update provided by your company. This means you have the latest security software, web browser and operating system. These are better at fighting viruses, malware and other harmful threats.

2. Always use a very strong password that you don’t write down anywhere or share with anyone. The password must contain 8 characters, including upper and lower case letters, special characters and numbers.

3. Never click on links sent by strangers. These can be phishing scams that use fraudulent emails and websites to trick users into revealing private account or login information.

4. Remember that social media is for fun and you shouldn’t share anything serious, especially usernames and passwords. In fact, cybercriminals often figure out your password from your DMs.

5. Never post your own birthdays or the birthdays of family, friends or colleagues on social media. This too can reveal sensitive information that hackers can exploit to the advantage of these people.

This recent incident in central Mumbai should serve as a reminder to be cautious when looking for contact information online. Be vigilant, check sources and watch out for suspicious requests. Following these simple guidelines can protect you from falling victim to cybercriminals and their deceptive tactics.