The Kerala Police said; beware of online fraudsters employing various tactics, including scams impersonating mobile phone service providers. These scammers may contact you, posing as customer care representatives, and falsely claim that services for the mobile number linked to your bank account have been halted due to technical issues. They might assert that banking services could be disrupted unless you take immediate action.
The Police said to counter this, the fraudsters instruct you to download an “assist app” and recharge your mobile number. However, the app is a ploy to steal your personal and bank account information, leading to extortion attempts under the guise of recharging your phone. Exercise caution, as legitimate mobile service providers and bank officials never request sensitive information over the phone. Be skeptical of such messages and refrain from installing unnecessary apps. If you fall victim to online fraud, promptly report the incident to the Cyber Police Helpline at 1930. Acting within the first hour increases the likelihood of recovering the stolen funds.