Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cybercrime Police on Tuesday warned citizens about a surge in OTP-based frauds. Officers explained that cybercriminals are increasingly tricking people into revealing One-Time Passwords (OTPs), leading to financial theft and identity misuse.
Fraudsters are reaching victims through fake bank calls, phishing links, WhatsApp messages, and bogus customer care numbers. After receiving an OTP, these criminals access digital wallets, bank accounts, credit cards, and e-commerce platforms with ease.
Fraudsters use deceptive tactics
Police identified several methods used by scammers:
- Fake bank or KYC calls: Impersonators threaten account or card deactivation unless the victim shares an OTP.
- Online refund scams: Criminals promise cashback or rewards and ask for OTPs under the pretext of processing refunds.
- Bogus customer care numbers: Victims searching online call fake numbers and unknowingly share OTPs during the interaction.
- Job and loan offers: Fraudsters lure individuals with job promises or instant loans and demand OTPs for “verification.”
- UPI collect requests: Scammers pretend to send money but actually send a request. When victims approve and share OTPs, their accounts get debited.
- SIM swap frauds: Using personal details and OTPs, fraudsters obtain duplicate SIM cards to hijack SMS alerts and bank messages.
- E-commerce delivery frauds: Criminals pose as delivery agents and demand OTPs under the guise of return or refund verification.
Police share safety tips to prevent OTP frauds
To stay safe, Hyderabad Cybercrime Police advised the public to:
- Never share OTPs No legitimate bank or agency will ever ask for them.
- Reject suspicious calls and messages demanding OTPs for card activation, KYC, loans, or refunds.
- Avoid approving unknown UPI collect requests.
- Verify customer care contacts using official websites or apps—not from search engines or social media.
- Keep OTPs secure. Don’t share screenshots or forward messages.
- Enable security features such as SIM lock, screen lock, and bank transaction alerts.
- Report any fraud immediately to the National Cybercrime Helpline at 1930 or online at cybercrime.gov.in.