Cyber Threats: Real-Life Experiences From The GetSetUp Community

s technology continues to advance, so do the methods employed by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals especially older adults. The GetSetUp community, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, has encountered many such cyber threats firsthand. By coming together and sharing their stories, they aim to help raise awareness of being vigilant and safe online from scams and fraud.

Mohan K:

I want to share my recent experience with Suryodaya Bank in Hyderabad. On July 12th, 2023, I called their customer care (1800 266 7711) twice, but both times the call got disconnected after 2 minutes. Soon after, I received a call from +91-9908885536, and to my surprise, the person addressed me by my name and claimed to be from the bank. I was grateful for the call-back and explained my concern regarding my fixed deposit with the Kukkatpally, Hyderabad branch thereafter which he asked me to download an app called ANYDESK. I got suspicious, refused, and threatened to report the incident to the police. The caller then abused me and hung up. This whole situation seems concerning as the timing of the call I received after contacting the customer care center indicates some involvement from within the bank's staff. I filed a complaint with the bank, but they haven't acknowledged it yet. Hence, I wanted to share this tale with all. Let's be cautious while sharing personal info and never share OTPs with strangers. Stay safe, everyone.

Archana G:

I want to share two incidents where I was saved from potential scams. The first one involved a Grofers order. When some items were out of stock, I tried contacting them through a number I found on Google. A person claiming to be from Grofers asked me to download an app for a refund, but things got suspicious. Luckily, the app wasn't available on my iPhone. The person got rude, and suddenly, my screen went black, making me think my phone was hacked. I decided to report the incident to the crime branch and share the phone number with them. They advised me to submit a written complaint on a particular website. But unfortunately, since I didn't actually lose any money in the process, they couldn't take any action. It's just frustrating to know that these scammers are still out there, potentially targeting other unsuspecting customers.

The second incident was when I saw an ad offering a free thali from "Sagar Ratana" when purchasing one. Intrigued, I called to check its validity. The person confirmed the offer for my area and I asked them to book two thalis. But then, they asked for a Rs 10 registration fee. I knew it was a scam and hung up immediately. Stay cautious and double-check before falling for such tricks!

Gloria J:

I wanted to share my recent experience to warn everyone in the community. I received multiple calls and messages on WhatsApp from different foreign phone numbers. When I opened the messages, I saw pictures of young Indian women claiming to be from the HR department of a well-known multinational company. They were offering a part-time job where I just had to click on YouTube videos, and they promised to pay me Rs. 50/- for each video, with the potential to earn a minimum of 30 thousand per month. However, I had read about this scam before, so I knew it was too good to be true. Without hesitation, I immediately blocked those numbers. It's essential for all of us to be cautious and vigilant about such scams. Always be wary of offers that seem too easy and too lucrative, especially when they come from unknown sources.

‍Premlata H:

These scammers are experts at manipulating your mind entirely. Even though I consider myself quite tech-savvy and even taught seniors about using phones for digital payments after demonetization in 2016, these crooks can still leave you dumbfounded. I often sell old stuff on OLX. One time, I posted an ad for an old Google pad, and within minutes, I received a call from someone claiming to be from the army, wanting to buy it. Initially, I insisted on a physical inspection and cash payment, but the guy gave a sob story about being on duty in the mountains and wanting it urgently for his daughter in Delhi, who had exams coming up. Against my better judgment, I eventually agreed to receive a digital payment.

He said he'd send a code and asked if I had a scanner on my phone. I knew I didn't need to scan anything to receive payments, but with the scammers constantly talking, my mind went blank. He even taught me how to open the code and scan it from my phone. As a show of authenticity, he transferred 2/- twice into my account. Foolishly, I scanned the code, and just like that, 4500/- was debited from my account, which was the sale price of the pad. They then asked me to scan again, claiming that the transaction hadn't gone through. Thankfully, due to the bank's security measures, the subsequent attempts failed. It was only after the call ended and they tried to call again that reality hit me hard. I couldn't believe how foolish I had been! I immediately lodged complaints with Paytm (since the whole operation was through their platform), the cyber cell, and the police, but unfortunately, nothing came of it. Since then, I've stopped using Paytm and stick to bank apps alone. What's truly frightening is how these scammers never give your mind a moment's rest; they're constantly talking to prevent you from thinking clearly. They're relentless in their efforts to deceive and defraud innocent people. Apart from that, I also receive calls about pending pension or uncollected funds from matured policies, even though I've never worked in the public sector and know the ins and outs of my accounts. I simply inform them that I'm reporting their number to the cyber cell and then disconnect.

These experiences shared by the GetSetUp Community members shed light on the ever-present threats in the digital world. From fraudulent calls to misleading apps and enticing job offers, cybercriminals continuously evolve their tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals. By being aware, cautious, and proactive, we can fortify our defenses against such threats. Remember to verify the legitimacy of phone numbers, never share personal information or OTPs with strangers, refrain from downloading suspicious apps, and stay informed about common scams. Together, we can create a safer digital environment and protect ourselves from cyber threats.

To address this issue at large, at GetSetUp this July we have put together an exclusive series focusing on Cyber Security, where we will cover all types of cyber frauds, how we can protect ourselves, and how to report in case we were to fall victim to one. 

P.S: If you or someone you know has faced cyber fraud, report it to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (Helpline Number -1930 (working 24x7).