The phone rings. A voice on the other end says they are from your bank, the police, or a government official. They sound professional, urgent and concerned. You trust them. You follow their instructions. In a few moments, your life's savings are gone.

In today's digital world, this isn't a rare story. Cyber Fraud is on the rise and scammers are constantly inventing new ways to trick people, especially those who are not very familiar with technology. These fraudsters often target senior citizens with a mix of fear, urgency and false promises.

But you have the power to protect yourself. By understanding the common tricks, you can stay one step ahead of the scammers. Here are some common cyber awareness tricks used by scammers and how you can spot them.

Under this popular scam, you get a call or a message claiming your bank account or ATM card will be blocked if you don't update your KYC (Know Your Customer) details immediately. They will convince you that they are from your bank and will pressure you to share your account number and OTP or download an app from the link shared with you.

• Fact: Banks will never ask you for your PIN, OTP or CVV over the phone.
• Red Flag: Be vigilant when someone asks you to download a third-party app to "update" your details.

This is a high-stakes scam where fraudsters pretend to be from the Police Department, CBI or other Law Enforcement Officers. They threaten you with ‘Digital Arrest’ for alleged crimes like money laundering or drug trafficking, often showing a fake police station backdrop on a video call. They demand money to "settle the matter."

• Fact: Law enforcement agencies in India do not conduct arrests or interrogations over video calls or phones.
• Red Flag: Beware of any threat of legal action that asks you to pay money or share sensitive information immediately.

In this type of scam, someone offers to buy an item you've listed online and says they will send you money via a QR code. They will ask you to scan the code and enter your UPI PIN to "receive" the payment.

• Fact: You only need to scan a QR code and enter your UPI PIN to send money, not to receive it.
• Red Flag: Beware when someone insists you to scan a QR code to receive a payment online.

You search for a customer care number of a bank or a well-known company and the first result you find is a scammer's number. When you call, they pretend to be a representative and ask you for your account details or OTP to "help" you.

• Fact: Always use the official website or a trusted source to find customer care numbers.
• Red Flag: Be cautious of sponsored ads in search results. Check the official website for contact details.

You get a message saying you have won a large lottery or prize. To claim it, you need to pay a small "processing fee" or "tax" upfront.

• Fact: You can’t expect to win a lottery if you never buy a ticket.
• Red Flag: Requests for money in advance to release your prize.

Fraudsters promise incredibly high returns on a small investment or offer easy work-from-home jobs. They may ask for a registration fee or a security deposit up front. Once you pay, they disappear.

• Fact: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam
• Red Flag: Any promise of guaranteed, abnormally high returns with no risk probably is a scam. Genuine jobs do not require you to pay a fee to get started.

A scammer creates a fake profile of a family member or friend on social media and sends you an urgent message, asking for money for a medical emergency or to help them out of a difficult situation.

• Fact: Always verify the identity of the person by calling them on a trusted number before sending any money.
• Red Flag: Be vigilant when you receive an urgent request for money from an unknown or newly created account.

You get a message saying someone has mistakenly transferred a large amount of money to your account and asks you to transfer it back. However, the initial transfer will be fake or it will be a temporary credit which will be reversed later.

• Fact: Never send money to an unknown person based on a message. Check your bank statement to see if a credit transfer has actually happened.
• Red Flag: A message asking for a refund from someone you don't know.

Scammers send links via SMS, WhatsApp or email, often disguised as official notifications from a bank, delivery service or government agency. Clicking on the link can install malware on your phone or take you to a fake website where you're tricked into entering your personal details.

• Fact: Look closely at the sender's address and the link itself. It will often contain misspellings or extra characters.
• Red Flag: Never click on a link from an unknown sender. Always go directly to the official website.

You receive a message or call claiming your bank account will be deactivated due to "suspicious activity" or "unverified details." They then pressure you to share your sensitive information or click a link to "fix" the problem.

• Fact: Banks will always notify you through official channels and never ask for confidential information over the phone.
• Red Flag: Unsolicited calls or messages that create a sense of panic and urgency.

At South Indian Bank, your financial security is our top priority. We are committed to educating our customers to ensure they can bank safely and with confidence. Remember, a little bit of caution goes a long way.

For added peace of mind, consider using the e-Lock facility available in the SIB Mirror+ app. This innovative feature allows you to instantly disable all digital debit transactions including online, mobile, ATM and POS with a single tap. If you ever feel your account is at risk or have misplaced your card, you can lock it immediately and unlock it only when you're ready to use it again. It's a simple, effective way to put you in control of your account's security.

If you ever receive a suspicious call, message or email, please remember the golden rules:

• Pause and Think: Don't panic. Take a moment to calm down.
• Verify: Cross-check the information with a trusted source, like your bank's official website or a family member.
• Never Share: Never share your personal information, especially your PIN, OTP or passwords with anyone.

By staying vigilant and aware, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these cunning tricks. Your safety is in your hands.

Disclaimer: The article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this article are personal and do not necessarily constitute the views of The South Indian Bank Ltd. or its employees. The South Indian Bank Ltd and/or the author shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial/non-financial decisions based on the contents and information’s in the blog article. Please consult your financial advisor or the respective field expert before making any decisions.