SAS Nagar, January 12, 2025: To make aware of the cyber crime and fraud , especially related to banking, the Lead District Bank, SAS Nagar, Punjab National Bank has issued an advisory to the general public.      
 Divulging the details, District Lead Bank, Manager, M K Bhardwaj said that in today’s tech-savvy world, the risk of being a victim of cyber crime is also higher. On a daily basis, we come across the news of different modus operandi used by Cyber Criminals, he added. "Now the onus of being aware is on all of us to remain alert and not to fall victims of these cyber criminals who are invisible and are roaming around all of us," said LDM Bhardwaj.       
Sharing tips to make hard-earned money protected, Bhardwaj cautioned If we receive a phone call that TRAI/Telecom Department is going to disconnect your phone, do not respond. It is definitely a scam.Similarly, If someone has been called in the name of FedEx courier service or in the name of some other courier agency about a package and asked to press 1 or whatever, do not follow the instructions. It will also be a scamsters' trick to cheat you      
Cautioning further, he said, If a police officer (pretending to be) calls you and talks to you that your Aadhaar has been used in illegal transactions, do not respond. It is also a scam. Similarly, If they tell you that you are under 'digital arrest', do not respond, apply your mind and try to inform your near or dear ones immediately.  If they say you can't tell anyone, do not listen to them. It is a scam to create fear in your mind. Inform Cyber Crime wing at 1930 immediately, said Lead District Manager       Making aware of the frivolous phone call in the name of ED or CBI that creates fear in your mind that drugs have been discovered in some package meant for you or sent by you, do not respond. It is also a scam. If they contact you using WhatsApp message or WhatsApp call or SMS in the name of any bank or any agency, do not respond. It is a fraud.     
Further, If anyone calls you and tells you they have sent money to your UPI id by mistake and that they just want their money back, do not respond. It is also a smart trick to cheat on you.     
He said, If someone says, they want to buy your car or your washing machine or your sofa and say they are from the army or CRPF and show you their id card, do not respond. It is also a scam. If someone says they are calling from Swiggy or Zomato and need you to confirm your address by pressing 1 or anything else, do not respond. It is a scam. If they ask you to share OTP just to cancel the order or ride or whatever, do not respond. It will also be definitely a scamsters' con. In any case, do not share your OTP with anyone over the phone and never answer any calls on video mode. 
It is very much prone to the sextortion method used by criminals to make money by blackmailing the innocent persons. If confused simply switch off your phone and block that number. Never press on any link written in blue. It may be a scam.    
LDM Bhardwaj further said, even if you get a notice from the highest Police authorities, CBI, ED , IT Department; do verify offline about the authenticity of the notice before proceeding further. Always check if such letters are from authorized Government portals.      
He also cautioned of the cyber criminals that have started using AI techniques to intimidate people. They show the video of your near and dear ones and also the voice of the same person is used with the help of AI. Please do not panic and verify it from other sources.      
He said, "As a matter of digital hygiene, Do not share your address, location, phone, Aadhar, PAN, DOB, or Any personal detail with ANYONE over phone or messages. In fact, refuse even to acknowledge your own name on a call. Tell them that since they called you, they are supposed to know your name, number, and whatever detail they wish you to 'confirm'. Even if they have your details, do not confirm or deny or get caught up in any conversation. Simply disconnect and block."      
He said in case, If unfortunately someone is trapped then make a complaint immediately by calling on CYBER HELP LINE  - 1930  or submit a complaint on the website of MHA i.e.  www.cybercrime.gov.in or report to the local cyber police station.