Man Loses ₹2.4 Lakh in FasTag Recharge Scam: Follow These 5 Tips to Protect Yourself
A man fell victim to cybercriminals and lost a significant amount of ₹2.4 lakh while trying to recharge his FasTag account, highlighting the importance of being cautious when seeking customer support for online services.
The 47-year-old victim is a resident of Nallasopara and he tried to solve the FasTag problem. He looked for a contact number online and called and unwittingly fell into the trap of a cyber scammer. A fraudster pretending to be an official call center employee gave false assurances. He then instructed the victim to download a remote access app to his phone.
Trusting the fake employee, the victim followed the instructions and downloaded the suggested app, unknowingly launching a carefully planned scam. According to a report in India Today, a whopping ₹2.4 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn from the victim’s bank account in the blink of an eye in six online transactions.
To make matters worse, after scamming the victim, Vale “customer support manager” stopped all contact. In practice, the victim was left questioning the fact that he had listened to the scammer.
The victim turned to the police for help. It has been revealed that the police have filed charges based on, among other things, Section 66C of the Information Technology Act.
Online scams like this one are rampant, highlighting the need for individuals to be vigilant and take precautions.
Tips to protect yourself from such scams:
1. Stay alert: Be careful when you encounter unexpected emails or messages that seem suspicious, even if they promise easy money or work. Ensure their authenticity as much as possible in different ways. especially in financial matters
2. Avoid unknown links: Do not click on links from unknown sources as they may lead to dangerous websites or downloads.
3. Guard Personal Information: Never disclose important information to unknown callers, especially when they ask for it through phone calls or text messages, especially in financial transactions.
4. Review requests: Always review requests, especially those that contain sensitive actions or information. If in doubt, contact the organization or individual directly through established channels to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
5. Act quickly: If you suspect a scam or phishing attempt, act quickly by deleting the message or ending the call without sharing personal information.
Protecting yourself against online fraud requires vigilance and alertness to unexpected offers. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to online fraud.
