The internet has transformed how we live, work, and transact. It has radically changed our lives, making us more connected than ever

The opportunities and convenience it provides are ample but at the same time, it has become a fertile ground for different kinds of scams. India has over 820 million active internet users as a result of which the online world has become a hot target for online scams.

It is now more important than ever for individuals and businesses to be aware of the most common online fraud and take preventive measures. Here are the top 10 scams in India that you need to be mindful of.

1. Phishing Scams

In a phishing scam, the victim receives suspicious messages, links, or emails related to financial transactions, online orders, or any loans or EMI. These cyber scams often use deceptive practices to get victims to share their credentials, passwords, or other sensitive details.

India reported experiencing over 79 million phishing attacks so far making it one of the biggest scams in the country.

Prevention tips:

• Make sure to add spam filters for your emails.
• Do not share personal details or financial information over email.
• Always report messages from unknown sources that ask for personal information via email.

2. Identity Theft

Scammers misuse personal data by impersonating individuals and gaining access to their accounts online. Identity theft can cause both personal and financial damage to the victim.

Prevention tips:

• If you think there has been any suspicious activity, immediately freeze your credit card.
• Safeguard your Aadhar card, PAN number, and other such important details.
• Enable alerts or notifications for all financial transactions.

3. Online Banking Fraud

In this online scam, methods like hacking your bank account, cloning your SIM, or exploiting any bugs or vulnerabilities in your banking app are used to siphon off money from your banking account.

For instance, UPI frauds today are amongst India’s biggest online frauds, accounting for 47.3%. This is followed by various debit and credit card and internet banking-related internet scams that account for 11.3%.

Prevention tips:

• Be cautious while using public Wi-Fi networks.
• Always shred and destroy your credit and debit cards that are not in use.
• Install a trusted antivirus like Quick Heal Total Security.

4. E-commerce Frauds

In this online fraud in India, fake e-commerce sites will trick you by asking you to make payments through fake payment options or insecure gateways compromising your financial information. Scammers also set up fake online stores or create counterfeit listings on legitimate platforms, tricking customers into paying for goods that never arrive.

Prevention tips:

• Make sure to transact only with trustworthy and credible websites with secure payment methods.
• Always use anti-fraud software that can monitor, investigate, and block malicious activity.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often tempt victims with unbelievably low prices or discounts to promote quick purchases.

5. Lottery and Prize Scams

In this internet fraud in India, you will receive an unexpected message on either email, SMS, or a call that congratulates you for winning a huge sum of money in a lottery. It will ask you to reach out to a particular number that will ask for processing fees to get the lottery amount.

Prevention tips:

• Never respond to such messages and report them if possible.
• Always refrain from paying any upfront fees since genuine lotteries do not ask for any money upfront.
• Be cautious of unexpected windfalls, as legitimate lottery wins require active participation.

6. Tech Support Scams

In this online scam, scammers pose as members of the tech support team of reputable companies like Apple, Google, or Microsoft and claim there is a problem with your computer. To help you fix it they trick you into installing malicious software on your device that gives them direct access to your systems.

Prevention tips:

• Always be cautious while responding to an unsolicited call, email, or text message.
• Do not allow remote access to your computer to anyone.
• Ignore pop-ups claiming your device is infected with a virus.

7. Social Media Scams

More than 30% of people on social media have reported falling prey to these scams. Here, scammers target innocent people by creating fake profiles to befriend them, win their trust, and then exploit them to steal personal information.

Scammers also use quizzes, contests giveaways, and job offers to steal your personal information and break into your accounts through these types of scams.

Prevention tips:

• Be cautious of accepting friend requests from strangers
• Don’t post too much personal information online.
• Keep your accounts private.

8. SIM Card Swapping

SIM swap scams involve fraudsters gaining control of the victim’s mobile numbers to gatecrash any security measures like 2FA or two-factor authentication. This helps them gain control of their personal information like their financial and social media accounts.

Prevention tips:

• Refrain from clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
• Check all your accounts like bank, emails, and socials for any suspicious activity.
• If your carrier allows, set a separate PIN or passcode for added protection.

9. Fake Apps and Malware

Fake apps are illegal applications that copy the appearance and functions of a legitimate app. Once installed, these fake apps can steal your personal information, deliver malware, or even conduct unauthorized transactions, all while mimicking the behavior of the legitimate app to avoid detection.

Prevention tips:

• Install antivirus and anti-spyware software like Quick Heal that can detect and block fake apps and malware.
• Enable and “grant permission” to only the essential app features.
• Avoid saving passwords on your computer and use a secure password manager instead.

10. Ransomware Attacks

A ransomware attack takes absolute control over the victim’s device and holds their data hostage for a ransom. Such attacks have increased in India by 22% and are a significant threat. A recent ransomware attack on AIIMs Delhi led to a server shutdown that disrupted health services for hospitals and thousands of patients.

Prevention tips:

• Keep backups for all crucial information on hard drives or the cloud.
• Regularly apply patches to close vulnerabilities that ransomware can exploit.
• Be aware and educate yourself to avoid falling prey to tactics that can cause ransomware infections.

Wrapping Up

As a well-informed digital native, it is important to take proactive measures to protect yourself from cyber fraud in India, rather than waiting for something to happen and then taking steps to recover the loss. The prevention tips suggested above are a good start.

To top it up, you can check out Quick Heal’s cutting-edge solutions. Starting at just Rs. 816, these provide comprehensive protection against threats like fake apps, ransomware, phishing attacks, and the varied types of online fraud in India.

By adopting these practices and utilizing Quick Heal’s advanced security features, you can greatly improve your online safety and lower the chances of falling prey to cyber scams.